2026 PFN Player Profile: Getting to know Troy RB/LB Clayton Smith
Tagged under: District 4, News, Player Previews
Billy Splain | May 3, 2023
Clayton Smith
Rb, OLB
Troy
Class Of 2024
Jersey #7
HT/WT 5’8 185lbs
2022 football season- 9ypc 22td 1410 total yards
Other sports Baseball, Track
2022 offensive player of the year, first team region offense
Twitter @Clayton7Smith
Coach Smith: “Clayton is a four year varsity player . One of district 4 leading rushers. Averages 10 YPC , 1410 yards as a junior and 20 plus offensive/defensive TD’s . Two way player who is dominant at the OlB position as well. Clayton understands the important of training all year. He’s a great student , player and leader.”
LET’S GET TO KNOW CLAYTON
Why do you play football?
I play football because I love the game. My dad has been the head coach of our varsity team since I was in pre school, I grew up in the weight room in the off-season and learning the game from a very young age. Jesus and football is what we live for in my family.
Who is your favorite sports star and WHY?
I honestly don’t have a most favorite player. I look up to the “greats” of the game and respect their stories and strive to be like them.
Do you have a favorite play you remember the most? Explain:
My favorite play was a pick 6 in the first game of my junior season. Bald eagle had a very good pass game and it felt awesome to pick the ball off and run it back to set the tone for our defense early in the game.
What was last years season like for you?
My last years season had its lows and definitely many highs. We started off with a huge win against Bald Eagle Area, the following week we beat Montoursville, another big win. In week 8 we took our first loss to Loyalsock in a very close game. In week 10 we lost to Canton in another very close battle. After winning our first district game we played Southern Columbia to end the season, a game I’ll never forget.
What are your goals for this coming season?
My goals for this season is to win a district title and beat Southern Columbia which I believe we will do.
Who is the best player you ever lined up against?
From a defensive standpoint the best person I’ve ever lined up against is Davion Hill (Loyalsock) in my opinion.
What stadium, HS/college/pro would you love to visit for a game?
I’d like to visit a Pennstate game again because it’s an awesome atmosphere
What is your favorite Pro team, any sport?
Steelers
What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why?
One of the most cool games I’ve ever watched was when Troy played southern Columbia back when I was in 7th grade. Southern Columbia had players like Julian Fleming, Cal Holiday, and 4 or 5 other division 1 athletes that I watch playing on TV now.
Describe what the perfect teammate is
The perfect teammate is someone who doesn’t think they are smarter or better than the coaches, or any teammates. The perfect teammate comes to the weight room for their off season work, is always eligible, and mainly always has everyone’s back. The perfect teammate will play wherever they are needed, not where they want, and take pride in that position. The perfect teammate will take the teams success before his own.
Tell everyone why you think football is good for a community
Football is good for the community because it is the only sport where 3/4 of the small town will all come to watch the game. Every football game our bleachers are full, there has never been more than 100 people at one of my baseball games. It just goes to show how great of a sport football is.
Name one thing that you’d love to do in football that may never happen?
I’d love to win a state title
Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like? WHY?
My mentor is my dad. He pushes me everyday to be a better person, and football player everyday of my life.
What is your favorite practice drill? What is your least favorite practice drill?
My favorite practice drill is when we play 7v7. My least favorite drill is sprints lol.
Preseason Two a Days are:
Awesome! Very fun first couple weeks of the season and it’s awesome to get all the boys all together and see what kind of team we are going to put together.
Is there anyone in your family, besides your parents, you could consider your biggest fan? Who, Why?
My grandpa is my biggest fan. My grandpa was 94 years old when he passed away In the middle of my sophomore year. He loved football, I was with him almost everyday of the week and we talked about football constantly. He inspires me to be a great on and off the field.
When you aren’t playing, practicing or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why?
I like fishing, hunting, and camping. There isn’t much that’s more fun then getting out the tents and going to find a spot on state woods and camping out with my best friends for a few days.
What is your favorite football memory to date?
My favorite football memory. During my sophomore football season my brother was in 8th grade. During his Thursday night junior high game he got cleated in the kidney which ended up tearing it in half, this was very scary for my family, teammates and I. The next day we played Loyalsock a team we were projected to lose to badly, every sports media had us getting beat very bad. The whole team came together and we played for my brother that night. We ended up winning 42-14 and I personally had 298 rushing yards, my best game to date.
What is your favorite play to run?
Tail back counter
is a hot dog a sandwich?
No, hot dog is a hot dog
Music of choice:
Country
Best Pizza topping?
Mushrooms
Which one? Sheetz or Wawa
Sheetz
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Myrtle beach
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