Texas Football: Jake Smith injured with broken foot on first day of spring
An injury-ridden start to spring camp for the Texas football program and new head coach Steve Sarkisian could be concerning throughout the rest of the offseason. Texas was already set to miss more than five players in spring ball due to pre-existing injury issues including the likes of senior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, senior offensive guard/center Derek Kerstetter, and junior defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
On the first day of spring drills on the Forty Acres on March 23, it was Sark and the Longhorns that had another costly injury to undergo. Junior wide receiver Jake Smith reportedly (confirmed by Anwar Richardson of Orange Bloods on Twitter on the morning of March 23) suffered a broken foot early in the first day of spring camp.
Smith already dealt with injury issues last offseason that caused him to miss some time early in this past regular season. Smith missed the first two games of the regular season and took a while to shake the rust off last fall.
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said WR Jake Smith broke his foot and will be out for an undetermined amount of time
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) March 23, 2021
This was set to be a big spring camp for Smith, who could be vying to become the primary target in the passing game in 2021. There’s no clear option for who will become the primary wide receiver in the post-Tom Herman era on the Forty Acres.
With the foot injury in mind now for the Longhorns, Smith is likely to miss a good stretch time this offseason. We’ll see if he’s ready to be a full participant this offseason both in summer workouts and fall camp.
What Texas is missing for the rest of spring ball with Smith out is a wideout that registered 48 catches for 568 receiving yards (11.8 yards per catch) and nine touchdown catches in his two years playing for the program. The former elite blue chip recruit and 6-foot and 200 pound third-year wide receiver should still be a big piece of the offense in 2021.
Next. 4 impactful spring camp absences due to injuries. dark
Texas finished up with a record of 7-3 (5-3 Big 12) last season under the direction of the former head coach Herman. Smith and the Longhorns will be looking to chart a new course in 2021 under the direction of the former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator and reigning Broyles Award winner Sark as head coach.