Kaleb Smith-Hiley is of the class of 2027, a 6′ 200 lb. Linebacker out of Albany HS in Albany, LA, where he boasts an impressive 4.1 GPA. He’s extremely physical and plays with a toughness that stands out on film. With a nose for the football, he flies around the field, going from sideline to sideline, delivering big hit after big hit. But he lets the big play come to him; he prides himself on making sure he is always in the right position, and he is completing his assigned task. On offense, he is featured as a running back to change the tempo with his physicality. A downhill runner who doesn’t shy away from contact. As he enters his senior season, he expects an expanded role on both sides of the ball. He is viewed as a leader and really wants to set a good example for underclassmen to follow. A talented football player with strong character and a great academic standing, Kaleb Smith-Hiley is a gem you don’t want to miss out on!
Q/A:
What has football taught you that you think will help you most in college life?
The most valuable lesson football has taught me is how to be resilient and battle adversity.
How does it feel knowing this is your last season wearing your high school jersey?
Honestly, it makes me sad to think about it. Not just the idea of putting on the jersey for the last time, but also leaving my brothers behind. Also, just knowing the ending is inevitable and there is nothing that I can do to stop it. So, I just take it one day at a time and take nothing for granted.
What moment from your senior year are you going to remember forever?
I don’t think there is just one specific moment that will stick with me forever. There will be several memorable moments, including my first game as a senior, my last game, which closes out my high school career, and graduation.
Are you planning to play football in college or focus more on academics?
Academics always come first, and it is my biggest focus, but my wish is to continue my football career and play at the collegiate level. Whether that be through a scholarship offer or as a walk-on, I would be grateful for any opportunity to extend both my academic and athletic careers.
What are you most excited about for college, and what are you nervous about?
I am excited about starting my own life, making new friends, and building my own community. I am obviously nervous about moving out on my own, but I am excited to embrace the new challenges.
Who pushed you the most to become the player (and person) you are today?
I have a lot of people in my life who have helped me get to this point, but the person who pushed me the most and had the biggest impact on my life is my grandpa.
What’s one lesson a younger teammate could learn from your journey?
I think one of the biggest takeaways my younger teammates can learn from my journey is that bad things can happen, you will make mistakes, but those mistakes don’t define you, and you should never let anyone make you feel less than because of your mistakes.
How do you stay motivated when practices or games get tough?
I focus on the team. By continuing to push through and not giving up, I am leading by example. I want to reassure my teammates that they should never give up on themselves or on one another.
What goals are you setting for yourself in your first year of college?
My goal is to better myself by maintaining a 3.5-4.0 GPA, making new friends, and putting myself out there. My big goal is to make it to the NFL.
If you could replay one game or moment from high school football, what would it be and why?
If I could replay one moment, it would have to be my sophomore year when we played against Springfield High School. I was finally given a real chance at running back. I truly had fun playing the game I love that day.
How has balancing school, football, and life shaped your time management?
Time management is such a valuable life skill. Balancing all three can sometimes be a bit of a juggling act. Having multiple responsibilities has helped me reorganize my priorities and figure out what is really important to me while maintaining focus on my goals and adding a little fun in there, too.
What kind of legacy do you hope you’re leaving behind on your team?
I want the people coming up behind me to remember me as a hard worker who never backed down from anything. But most of all, I want them to remember the kind of person I am underneath the pads and helmet. I want them to remember someone who was kind and didn’t mind being different from everyone else, someone who created their own path and never looked back.
Outside of football, what are you hoping to discover or try in college?
I’m really hoping to find a place that is totally different from home, something that is eye-opening with a variety of opportunities. I want to venture out and explore.
Five years from now, where do you hope football and your education will have taken you?
I hope football, as well as my education, has helped to elevate me to the next level of competition. But if not, I hope to use my athletic experiences and college education to further advance the next generation of athletes.
What’s your go-to pregame song?
My usual pre-game playlist consists of anything by NBA Youngboy, but sometimes it varies.
What snack or meal do you destroy after games?
Caniac Combo from Raising Cane’s, always.
What do you think makes you stand out from other recruits?
Mental Toughness. I am confident in my athletic abilities. I can drown out the noise, put my head down, and grind.
What are your strengths?
I can command the defense while I’m on the field. I am not afraid to step up when people need me. I am confident in my ability to recognize my opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and how to take full advantage of them.
What are the things you are trying to improve the most this offseason?
Most importantly, I want to become a stronger leader and friend to my teammates. But this offseason, I also want to focus on my get-offs, playing on the edge, and reading route combinations better to help me dominate on the field.
What are your goals going into this upcoming season?
My goals for the senior season as a linebacker are to have at least 80 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. For running back, I want at least 1,500 to 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
What made you fall in love with football?
For me, it was never just one thing or one moment that made me fall in love with football. It was everything from the hard-hitting to the fans cheering my name to the memories I’ve made with all kinds of people. Athletes, families, fans—they all come together for the love of the game. I’ve been playing football since I was 4 years old. I have had my ups and downs, but nothing can ever extinguish my love and passion for the game of football.
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