Jaylen Smith has had a sensational training camp with the Blue Bombers; photos by Cameron Bartlett
Drag your finger down the list of the Canadian Football League’s special teams tackles leaders from last year — and if you’re so inclined that chart is here — and very near the top is Jaylen Smith of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Just for the record, the then-rookie linebacker, who turned 24 this spring, finished with 22 tackles on the kick-cover units — tied for fourth most in the entire loop.
In short, those numbers gave everyone in Bomberland a taste of what the Hamilton, Ont. product by way of the University of North Texas could provide as a player. Special teams, after all, is often the first step a prospect can take in wedging his way onto the roster before earning meaningful snaps.
And what Smith has done through Blue Bombers training camp also screams out for more work. He’s been that good playing linebacker and dime in defensive coordinator Jordan Younger’s scheme and was one of the standouts in last Saturday’s preseason loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saskatoon with five tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack.
Yet — and here’s where we pull you back to the intro of this story — that 22 special teams tackle total and even his performance in Saskatoon where he had a team-leading five tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack hardly has him satisfied.
Quite the opposite, in fact, and his answers serve as a bit of a window into his own expectations.
On the 22 special-teams tackles from last year: “I’m always a critic. I had 22, but when I look back it was 13 missed tackles. I always want to elevate my game and be the best. I want to elevate my game on special teams and then getting on the field on defence — whether that be a role package or a substitution.”
Smith in coverage of receiver TJ Davis at training camp on Wednesday
On his performance on Saturday: “I always want to improve in little areas of the game so… it was all right” he said, while lamenting not forcing a fumble on the play in which he registered a sack.
So, while Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea has used the term ‘self-aware’ a few times this week to describe players, Smith certainly falls into that category and then some.
He’s brutally honest about his own play — the 22 tackles on special teams are exceptional for a rookie and his ‘it was all right’ comment about his play on the weekend is a serious understatement.
And that honestly goes beyond what happened on the field. It also applies when he spoke of his growth from this time last year when he arrived as a second-round draft pick in the CFL Canadian Draft.
“This time last year I was a little lost,” Smith admitted. “I was going through some stuff mentally and wasn’t sure, honestly, if I wanted to play anymore.
“I had some stuff going on back home, felt a little homesick, and wasn’t in the right headspace. Coming back to play in Canada and becoming a pro was a big jump for me. I admittedly thought it would be a bit easier. That’s a little arrogance I had from playing down south, but you get humbled real fast when you play in the CFL. It was a huge learning step.
“I’m usually a happy person, always smiling. Last year it was stuff I had never really been through, but I am proud of myself for being able to get through that. I have a great support system back home with my mom, my dad, my twin brother — they really helped me with the hardships I was going through.
“Now, I’m just so happy to be here,” he added. “I fell in love with the team. These guys have been so good to me, and I love the locker room vibe. I’m definitely happy with where I am right now.”
Where Smith is right now is a testament to him grinding through what he did last year and taking that proverbial next step in his second season as a pro. This is a guy who played six different positions in college, after all, and the Blue Bombers knew that when they drafted him.
What they’ve found out since then are the intangibles that have already made him such a solid pro.
“He’s a terrific football player, he really is,” said O’Shea. “Even better than that, that guy is happy every single day. I just love looking at him. He’s got a good attitude.”
OUCH REPORT: Not practising on the last full day of training camp were SB Nic Demski, KR/CB Trey Vaval, DBs Bryan Addison, Ethan Ball and Jonathan Moxey, C Tui Eli, OL Jonathan Broxton and Stanley Bryant and WR Kevens Clercius.
THE COACH SAYS: Mike O’Shea’s daily media session from Wednesday:
NEXT: The Blue Bombers will hold their walk-through practice on Thursday beginning at 3:15 p.m.
