The most important staff hiring that James Franklin has arguably made at Penn State was one of his very first in 2014.
Franklin named former Nittany Lions wide receiver Terry Smith, a successful high school coach in the Pittsburgh area, as the cornerbacks coach.
As Franklin begins his 12th season, Smith is the lone holdover from that original staff and it’s easy to understand why.
He’s an excellent recruiter who isn’t afraid to speak the truth to Franklin or anyone else inside Lasch Building. He’s been elevated to associate head coach. He’s also become one of the top coaches in the country at his position.
“I did a lot of research before I came here,” said cornerback A.J. Harris, a top 40 prospect who transferred from Georgia after the 2023 season. “Terry isn’t a guy who got a lot of highly recruited guys coming here prior to me. It was understanding that Terry has to know how to develop players when he’s getting three- and four-star (recruits).
“I knew the development he could pour into me. That was the biggest thing for me.”
Penn State has become a destination for the best cornerbacks in the country, like Harris.
Look at the guys who are expected to be the top six corners this season. They come from high schools in Alabama (Harris), Florida (Elliot Washington II), Georgia (Audavion Collins), Connecticut (Zion Tracy), California (Daryus Dixson) and Pennsylvania (Kenny Woseley). Collins and Jalen Kimber, who’s in camp with the Tennessee Titans, also transferred from Southeastern Conference schools, Collins from Mississippi State and Kimber from Florida.
Harris has the potential to become the first Penn State defensive back to be a first-round draft pick next year.
“We’re pretty talented,” Smith said. “I think my corner room is the best I’ve had in 12 years. I have four guys that could start anywhere in the Big Ten or the SEC.”
Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles coached some terrific cornerbacks the last three seasons at Ohio State. He quickly realized how talented the guys that Smith coaches are.
“If I had to use one word, it would be impressive,” Knowles said. “Terry Smith has built an awesome culture in that room. Those guys are playmakers, so I’m going to set things up for them to make plays.
“I saw it in the spring and I’ve seen it already here in camp. They are a real strength of our defense.
Smith has had three corners drafted the last three seasons: Joey Porter Jr., Daequan Hardy and Kalen King. He’s had seven taken since 2018.
“Before I came here, I was watching Joey Porter and Kalen King,” Washington said, “how they flew around the ball and how Coach T taught the corners. When I came up here on a visit, it caught my eye.”
But it’s how Smith carries himself that might have been the deciding factor for Washington.
“Even when I was being recruited, it felt like home when I came here,” he said. “He said, ‘I’m going to put you under my wing, but you’re going to have to work. You’re going to have to be gritty.’
“I knew I was going to play for a coach who’s going to believe in me, who’s going to trust me and who’s going to make it feel like home.”
Smith has managed to find and develop better talent as each year goes by. He also has created a competitive environment with much depth.
“We’ve always played a lot of guys,” he said. “We just buy into the saying, ‘We all can eat.’ When you’re out on the field, it’s your opportunity to step forward and get your job done. You’re out there. Write the chapter how you want it written.
“It’s proven to work. Those guys buy into it. It’s taking advantage of your opportunities and we all can have success.”
Including Terry Smith.
Source: Berkshire mont