Hard work pays off. So does the dirty work. Jake Smith of Notre Dame Prep is out on the field proving that’s exactly what it takes. As a junior and only in his second season on the varsity team, Smith has received his first college offers.

In leading NDP to a 4-0 start,Smith has found his role as a team leader. Coach George Prelock calls this “a testament to his character.” He said Smith “encourages his teammates, he’s not standing around. He’ll do the dirty work, too.”

Two years ago, Smith was on the freshman team. This was when Prelock was still coaching the freshman. When asked about what he has seen Smith developed most, Prelock had more to say than simple statistics. “Physically just getting bigger faster and stronger has helped him tremendously, but he knows that he’s got to put in the work ethic. He does an outstanding job of working hard and doing little things and going the extra mile,” said Prelock.

As a running back, Smith leads the team with 509 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, according to maxpreps.com. The first college offer came the week after a career game for Smith, where he racked up 324 all-purpose yards with four touchdowns in the Saint’s game against Desert Mountain on Sept. 1

Smith described a feeling of shock when he got the call from Vanderbilt University, the first college he received an offer from. “I’m still a little shocked, I called my dad right away. He was so happy for me, just screaming and yelling, it was great.”

Hours after getting the call, Smith scored four touchdowns against St. Mary’s. Smith received his second offer, this time from Illinois, three days later. With more D1 offers rolling in after every week. Smith is an exciting player to keep up with. If you can catch him, that is.

NDP plays in Pasadena  Friday.“We’re taking it up a notch,” said Smith. The Saints play California school La Salle, (2-2).