The Jet will attend Arkansas’ spring game on Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE — Allen (Texas) Class of 2026 wide receiver Caleb Smith has earned his nickname “The Jet” with a time of 10.35 in the 100-meter dash, which is third nationally for any sophomore.

Smith, 5-10, 160, is being heavily recruited by schools and holds 13 offers. Arkansas offered on Jan. 22. He will attend the spring game on Saturday at Arkansas.

“This is my first time (ever) being there,” Smith said. “I just wanted to go down there. I like the school and I’m really excited to meet the coaches.”

Smith is a talented wide receiver, but Marcus Woodson and Deron Wilson have been doing the most recruiting he said at this point. He’s also being recruited by Ronnie Fouch and looking forward to meeting Bobby Petrino. Fouch coaches the Arkansas wide receivers and Petrino is offensive coordinator. Allen High School was in the area recruiting for Woodson and Wilson in January.

“Coach Woodson and Coach Wilson came up to the school,” Smith said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things (about Petrino). I’ve heard a lot of good things so I want to see what they do in the spring game.”

Smith was too young when Petrino was at Arkansas to remember what he did then. But he said watching Petrino’s offense and meeting Fouch is very important for him this weekend. In 2023, Smith caught 41 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 20 times for 179 yards and three more touchdowns.

“I think my speed and my IQ are my strengths,” Smith said. “I have good IQ when it comes to football and my speed is elite too.”

Smith has offers from such schools as Baylor, Houston, Liberty, Texas Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Nebraska, Pitt, Utah and Grambling in addition to the Razorbacks. Did he expect this many offers and amount of attention so soon?

“I didn’t really think I would get this much attention like right now,” Smith said. “I’m really blessed. I’m not surprised this early I just thought it would be later in my high school career.”

The early attention for Smith has shown him though all the hard work he has done is paying off for him.

“I have worked really hard since I was very young, like five or six years old,” Smith said. “Football and track, the work has really just shown the past few years in high school.”

While Smith still has some time before deciding on a school, he has a few things on his checklist when choosing the right place for him.

“The determining factors for me is the relationship with the coaches and staff,” Smith said. “Also where the school is, where the campus is located.”

Smith said distance to home will be a factor for him, but that doesn’t mean he wants to go just down the road to a college. The distance to Arkansas appeals to him.

“Arkansas isn’t that far away from my home,” Smith said. “It’s far enough I can get away to go to school, but be close enough to home I can get there if I need to.”

Click here for Smith’s highlights.

First-team all district, click here.

Click here for 100-meter dash where he is ranked 3rd in nation.

Under Armour Camp Invite highlight.