Penn State All 105: Speedy Corey Smith Part of Talented Freshman RB Duo

Penn State is known for its lineage of star running backs, and Corey Smith is one of the new ones.

Coming from the state of Wisconsin, Smith and WPIAL star Quinton Martin make up a promising duo of freshmen backs.

PSU has a high standard at that position.

The program has produced star RBs in the 1950s (Lenny Moore), ‘60s (Charlie Pittman, Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell), ‘70s (Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti), ‘80s (Curt Warner, D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas), ‘90s (Ki-Jana Carter,  Curtis Enis), 2000s (Larry Johnson, Tony Hunt, Evan Royster), 2010s (Saquon Barkley) and, currently, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

We’ll see what becomes of Smith’s time at Penn State but for now, he’s the latest subject of All 105, a Nittany Sports Now series profiling each Penn State football player.

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

Before Penn State: Smith starred at Catholic Memorial High School, where he helped his team to two state title games and the 2021 state championship over the course of his career. As a senior, he missed most of the season with an injury. When healthy as a junior, Smith dominated, ending the year with 1,600 all-purpose yards. He had 1,800 as a sophomore, the year Catholic Memorial went undefeated and won the state title. A consensus four-star recruit, Smith committed to Penn State in April 2023 and signed in December.

Where he stands: Penn State is loaded at running back. Singleton and Allen make up one of the best duos in America, and second-year back Cameron Wallace has made some noise in spring practice enough to where he’s projected to be the third-string back. Smith also faces completion from Martin, who was a borderline five-star prospect. So it will be tough for Corey Smith to get many reps in Year 1, and the fact that he’s coming off an injury could make it even more likely that he’ll redshirt. With that said, Smith still has the chance to impress Penn State’s coaches during practices.

A quote by Smith: “It wasn’t even like a celebrate thing. It was ‘Ok, let’s get to business’ type of thing.” — Smith on coach James Franklin’s reaction to his commitment, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A quote about Smith: ”Corey is the most electric athlete that’s played in this program,” Catholic Memorial coach Bill Young said. “He has legit speed with a 4.4 [in the 40-yard dash], the fastest that our school has had. He is electric with the ball in his hands. He is a natural leader with a great personality, leading by example and making a big impact on younger kids. He is kind to everyone and he is going to do great things. We’re really excited that he has an opportunity to take his game to the next level at Penn State.” — Catholic Memorial coach Bill Young, via Sports Illustrated

More All 105s

LB Ta’Mere Robinson 

CB Antoine Belgrave-Shorter

S Vaboue Toure

DE Mylachi Williams 

QB Jack Lambert

WR Josiah Brown

DE Jameial Lyons

TE Joey Schlaffer

QB Ethan Grunkemeyer

CB Elliot Washington

TE Khalil Dinkins

DE Amin Vanover 

LB Tyrece Mills

QB Jaxon Smolik

S DaKarri Nelson

LB Tony Rojas

RB Kaytron Allen

CB Jon Mitchell

WR Anthony Ivey

DE Abdul Carter

RB Nicholas Singleton

QB Beau Pribula 

WR Tyler Johnson

CB Zion Tracy

WR Kaden Saunders

WR Trey Wallace 

S Zakee Wheatley

CB Cam Miller

WR Omari Evans

CB A.J. Harris

CB Jalen Kimber

WR Julian Fleming 

S KJ Winston

WR Liam Clifford

S Jaylen Reed 

LB Dom DeLuca