2024 Interview with Clayton Smith from Western Brown
Clayton "Cledus" Smith
School:Western Brown
Positions played: center, nose, and tackle
Graduating year:2027
Height and weight: 6'3 280lbs
What is the best part of being a student-athlete at Western Brown High School?
For me, the best part would be the coaching staff. Coach Osborne does a great job keeping us in check and is a football genius. Coach Wheeler is great at coaching the offensive line and knows what he's talking about, and Coach Fulmer is a very smart defensive line coach. There isn't a practice or game where I want to play because of the coaches.
What is the toughest aspect of being a student-athlete?
Personally, it's the schooling. I tend to get caught up in the sport and lose track of my schoolwork.
Center or nose guard: which of the two positions do you enjoy playing the most? Explain
Though I personally think I'm a better player and have a better future at center, I enjoy playing Nose. I feel like with Nose I can use my size but still get my name called here and there for good tackles or sacks.
What is the toughest part of two-a-day practices?
Definitely the fact that you got to go back in a few hours when you were trying to recover from session 1.
What is the strongest part of your game?
I think my size helps a lot. Being a 15-year-old and being the size of the older guys I play against, it definitely affects me on both a physical and mental level.
In what part of your game must you improve the most to be a better player?
I need to work on my footwork. I tend to move my feet a lot when blocking, but I move backwards even when I'm dominating the line.
Can you share with the readers the camps you have gone to or those that you will be going to, along with what you are hoping to get from the camps?
I've been to the University of Indiana camp and saw a lot of great competition. It was definitely an eye-opener to see the different types of competition. Soon I will have a camp at Toledo, Bowling Green, and Franklin.
Who has been the best player you have ever faced in a game, along with the team he played for?
The best player I've been against so far in my career would be Cameron Patterson from London. He was extremely strong and fast. He was good at using multiple moves in a row to get my hands off.
If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense? Explain
If the games are on the line, I would like to be on the offensive side of the ball. I feel like playing on the line during a game-winning drive is the most fun thing in football. If you think about it, you have a d-lineman trying everything to make a game-changing play, and I'll be trying to prevent that.
What was the highlight of your 2023 season?
I'm definitely getting my shot to start as a freshman.
Which game are you looking forward to the most this season?
Jackson has to be the most exciting game, in my opinion. The last few years, it's always been a good game, so I'm excited for that one.
Do you feel that you and your teammates are role models to the younger kids who come and root for you and the team?
Yes, of course. We always try to make them feel involved and part of the team.
What is the one sport you cannot watch on TV?
Swimming. It's a weird sport. No disrespect to the swimmers, but it just isn't the most fun thing to watch people swim in lines.
What is your favorite meal?
Anything involved with skyline chili.
What game system are you playing?
Xbox for life!
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