2024 Interview with Kolter Smith from Louisville Male and Georgetown College Commit

 

Kolter Smith

Position played: QB

Louisville Male High School

Class: 2024

Georgetown College

What are you going to miss the most about playing high school football?

Friday Night Lights, GAMEDAY, pep rallies, bus trips, and pregame meals with my teammates.

What were your emotions walking off the field after your last high school game?

I didn’t believe it was really over. I tried to keep it together for my teammates, but I honestly had a breakdown moment where I just wanted to get away and allow the emotions to flow. It’s very hard to explain, but it was a crazy sad moment.

What made playing for Male so special?

Tradition, both on and off the field. Having a strong winning program brings high expectations but also a lot of pride. Our alumni are so supportive, our Momma Dawgs take care of our team, we have the best coaches and staff in the state, and our school support makes Male a special place.

What mark do you believe your class left on the football program?

It was very important for our class to secure a victory in the "Battle of the Barrel" for the 10th consecutive year, leaving a decade-long legacy against our oldest rival, and we were able to do that! Additionally, we were just a few games away from becoming the most winning program in the country—an achievement that would solidify Male’s place in history, so I believe we left Male in a great place to achieve that goal.

In watching your Hudl highlights, the thing that sticks out the most to me is how you are able to make it look easy by hitting the receiver in stride, especially on your longer passes. Besides arm strength, what else goes into making throws look that easy?

Reps, reps, and more reps. Really working on a strong base, eyes, upper body control, and footwork makes it easier to deliver the ball on time and on target. I’ve also been blessed with some great teammates and strong receivers that make my job much easier!

If you could add one opponent for Male to face, who would it be and why?

I would have loved to play in Valdosta, GA, this past season. They are #1 in overall wins, and Male is #2. It would have been fun to play them and try to gain an extra game for all-time wins.

What were the high and low points of your high school football career?

Definitely playing in the “Battle of the Barrel."  It is one of the biggest rivalry games in the country, and to play in front of a crowd of over 10,000 people was special. Being able to lead our team to victory and celebrate with my teammates was such a surreal and unforgettable experience. The biggest low was losing to Frederick Douglass in our playoff game this season.

If you could change one rule in high school football, what would it be, and why?

Reclassification. I think all players should remain in their correct class. Watching players drop down a class just to be more competitive shouldn’t be allowed.

What have been the biggest challenges you've faced in your football career, and how have you overcome them?

As a quarterback, there are unspoken ‘intangibles’ that come with the position. Height being one of the biggest, I continue to hear from college recruiters. I’ve treated this challenge the same as any challenge, head-on. I’m focused on what I can control: my work ethic, attitude, and focus to be the best QB I can be. I don't worry about the ones that I can’t control.

As a quarterback, and a very good one, how much time did you spend in the film room on your own?

The one thing that I believe really allowed me to separate myself from my competition was the amount of time I spent in the film room and on Hudl. I think I watched more films than the rest of the team combined. I’m very coachable, and I love learning new schemes and concepts while looking at different defenses and studying how they will react, breaking them down, and exposing them. Coach Wolfe was really big on film sessions, and I believe he has prepared me for the next level.

What advice, if asked, would you give to the next male quarterback?

Don’t try to be anyone but yourself. Buy into the importance of video and film study; watch more video each week on yourself and your opponents. Appreciate the opportunity and respect the tradition that male high school brings, and lead the way!

Would you share with us some of the colleges that recruited you?

I was very lucky to have some great school visits, meet some awesome coaches, and receive 41 offers to play college football. My top 5 were Georgetown College, Mt. Saint Joseph, Keiser University, Mount Union, and Indiana Wesleyan.

What has been the best and worst part of the recruiting process?

It’s definitely a journey; it takes a lot of work to get exposure and get your name out there. I really loved visiting different schools and meeting the coaches. The toughest part was calling and communicating with coaches that you didn’t select. You make some good relationships, and you don’t want to disappoint anyone, but in the end, you can only choose one. I would just say never treat a school like you’re better than it; every opportunity is worth looking at, because you never know where a coach could end up in the future.

What is one sport you wish you could play but do not really have the skill set to do so?

Golf

Who is your favorite athlete?

Aaron Rodgers 

What is the one food you refuse to eat?

Eggs