Boyle County all-state kicker Jackson Smith has already verbally committed to Kentucky — the school where his father, Andy, was an all-SEC punter. He has a strong, accurate leg and is also a highly regarded punter.

This season, though, he also figures to be a full-time position player for Boyle, the defending Class 4A champion.

“He is more than likely going to start at tight end or outside linebacker,” Boyle coach Justin Haddix said. “He is practicing there right now. He wants to play.

“He has worked hard in the weight room. He does not want to just be a kicker. He has earned the right to do that. He is practicing like a starter on defense. Right now he probably looks the best for us on defense. He is really strong. He looks more like a linebacker than a kicker. He is really put together now because he’s worked really hard in the weight room.”

Haddix admits it is hard not to take Smith’s kicking/punting for “granted” because of his past success.

“He has proven he can do the job. He’s just that good to where you don’t even really worry about him. Probably not fair to him but it also just shows how much confidence we have in him,” Haddix said.