This off-season has been critical for many players going into the season as a starter, including Camden Fairview Cardinals junior defensive tackle Khaleb Smith. Smith is projected to be one of the three new defensive line starters for the Cardinals this 2022 season. He is a player that has been battling throughout the off-season to not only get better but also to secure a starting spot. Smith has not only been working hard this off-season in Camden but also in collegiate and all-star camps.
In mid-June, Smith dominated LaDainian Tomlinson's camp at TCU as he was voted most outstanding player. From July 4 to July 11, Smith was invited to participate in International Football Team USA vs. Mexico with the two games played in Cancun. Smith was a part of an American roster with teammates across the United States. This was the second year in a row that Smith participated in this All-Star game.
In the first game, the American team lost 12-6 as Smith caused the first fumble in the game. A few days later, Smith and the American team defeated the All-Star Mexican team with a 40-0 score. Smith said he was a starter on the defensive line and played significant snaps on the offensive line. He was a player who could impact his team on both sides of the field.
He also had a great impact off the field during the All-Star event. On the second day of the camp, players met patients from the C.R.I.T. (Center of Rehabilitation and Inclusion of Infants), where they participated in activities with children with disabilities. Smith created a special bond with one of the children as he painted his shoe for the child and the child painted the other one for him to keep.
"It was just a very great experience with me. I see how we are more fortunate than they are, and I see how are like down there, it's hard to get into stuff like that at first," Smith said of his experience working in Cancun.
Smith played in all 12 games last season as a backup defensive tackle as he accounted for five solo tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He will be coming into the 2022 season as a full-time starter for the Cardinals' defense.
He is a player that is already building an impressive recruiting profile as he is getting interest from several collegiate programs, including the TCU Horned Frogs. This 2022 season will be his biggest chance yet to impact the field. He has already made a significant impact off the field this past month in Cancun, an experience he will be with him after his playing career is over.
(Photo Submitted) Khaleb Smith paints a shoe with a child in Cancun.