4-Star Rahshaun Smith Opens Up on LSU Visit, Meeting Leonard Fournette

BRADENTON, Fla. — Even though he’s been on campus for less than a year, there’s no doubt that 4-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith has emerged as a team leader for Florida powerhouse IMG Academy.

For example, one day before his team’s nationally televised matchup against New Jersey force Paramus Catholic, Smith lit into his team during practice. He explained to Bleacher Report: 

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Me being a leader on my team and being voted as a captain by my coaches and my teammates, I felt it's my responsibility when guys are getting out of line or if guys need some encouragement; I feel like it’s my job [to speak up]. I do it all the time. They feel comfortable with me because I don’t feel like I’m better than these guys. I feel we are all on the same level. Me having a voice for the team, everyone respects that.

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Originally from Baltimore, Smith said leadership is a trait he was born with and one that hasn’t gone unnoticed to the bevy of college coaches who are hoping to land his commitment. 

The latest program to host him on an official visit, LSU, made a favorable impression when he visited Baton Rouge for the Tigers' big win over Florida on Oct. 18: 

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It was a great visit. It was my first time in Baton Rouge. I ate some really good food. The environment at the game was second to none. They got some of the best fans in the country. They were constantly cheering for us when we were out there in pregame. Their business school, which is where I want to study, is definitely good. We got to take a tour and speak with some of the professors and see the classrooms. It was definitely a great visit.

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#FournetteForHeisman #SavageSZN @_fournette  pic.twitter.com/1p3QnnDQUp

— Humble & Hungry 〽️ (@Nextlevel_shaq) October 18, 2015"

Another highlight for Smith was meeting and conversing with the Tigers' star running back and current Heisman Trophy candidate, Leonard Fournette. While Smith didn’t know what to expect of his first interaction with one of college football’s brightest stars, Fournette’s humility made a lasting impression on him:

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That was my first time talking to him. You’re like, ‘That’s Leonard Fournette,’ and thinking he’s a big-time guy so he won’t say much. But that definitely wasn’t him. He’s a humble, down-to-earth guy. We started talking from there, and I got to learn a lot about him. He told me about what he was going to do the next day, and he came up to me during pregame and told me, ‘Mark my words and remember what I told you yesterday.’ He went out there and handled his business.

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IMG teammate, 5-star corner and current Tigers pledge Saivion Smith has joked with him about potentially having to tackle Fournette in practice on a daily basis next season. That’s a thought Rahshaun admits he’s pondered since returning from Baton Rouge.

“[Saivion] is my roommate, so he’s constantly in my ear talking about LSU, and he jokes with me about having to tackle [Fournette] in practice,” Rahshaun said. “But that’s competition, which is something that I love. Leonard Fournette is a big guy and a great back, but if you are playing in the SEC, you are going to play a lot of those. If I play against him in practice, that’s better for me come game time.”

The visit was Rahshaun’s second official, as he visited Oregon in late September. His next visit is set for Nov. 14 at Auburn when it hosts Georgia. Visits to Maryland and Clemson—the school he originally committed to before reopening his process—loom in December.

With Rahshaun on track to be an early enrollee, he said a decision could come at the Under Armour All-American Game or shortly afterward.

He said his final decision will come down to a few critical factors.

“Definitely somewhere I can play early,” Rahshaun said. “Somewhere that has great coaches and coaches that can really develop me and prepare me for the next level. A great academic school. Somewhere that has my major. Playing time is definitely vital. You definitely want to go somewhere and play if you are ready.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani