2025 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Woodland Hills’ Scoop Smith

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 2:06 PM

Catch Scoop Smith if you can.

Many of the football programs that line up against Woodland Hills would rather pursue other endeavors. Smith enjoys playing on the return team but has become mostly a spectator as his career has progressed.

“I don’t get them a lot,” Smith said. “A lot of people won’t kick back there anymore. When I get it, I enjoy it.”

Smith, a 5-foot-5 running back/wide receiver, recently committed to play at Miami (Ohio), where he plans to keep motoring away from opponents. Last season, Smith scored 15 touchdowns and helped Woodland Hills win its first conference title since 2015. Smith was picked among 25 members of the Trib’s preseason all-star team.

Smith, who also excels at basketball and track and field, has made a major impact in the community. When Smith announced his commitment to college, he did so at an event attended by nearly 120 youth players.

“He’s developed 360 degrees,” Wolverines coach Brian Tarrant said. “I mean, as a player, student and role model. Scoop is at the top of the charts in every category. He really puts the effort out there. He has over a 4.0 GPA. I couldn’t tell you how many great things the kid does.”

Pulling the Wolverines back to prominence has been an important driver for Smith. Woodland Hills won five WPIAL championships between 1996 and 2009 and was held in high esteem nationally for producing NFL-level talent.

But the Wolverines’ success dipped after legendary coach George Novak retired in 2016, hitting a low point in 2019 with a 3-7 finish.

Smith said he feels like things have rebounded following the pandemic.

“It’s culture,” Smith said. “Especially after covid happened, it wasn’t easy bringing the crowd back. We got a new coach and younger guys have become old. It took a little bit of time to bring everyone back.”

Smith caught 38 passes last season for 630 yards. He also ran for 352 yards on 27 carries.

During the spring, Smith fought off a nagging hamstring injury to win the WPIAL Class 3A title in the 100-meter dash for the second consecutive season with a time of 10.72 seconds.

“He’s a Porsche,” Tarrant said. “He’s fast out there, and he relies on playing at that top speed every play. He’s tough to tackle and is tough in space. Yeah, he’s 5-5, but he plays like he’s 6-6. Whether it’s tackling, blocking or any of the physical aspects of the game, he’s always up to it.”

Smith said a lot of coaches brought up his height during the recruiting process, but it didn’t bother him. He chose the Redhawks over Nebraska and Toledo.

“I think it’s an advantage,” Smith said. “I don’t look at it as a disability. I don’t get sensitive when people talk about it. I use it as motivation.”

Scoop Smith

Woodland Hills

Senior

5-foot-6, 150 pounds

WR/CB

Committed to: Miami (Ohio)

Division I offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Delaware State, Eastern Michigan, Hampton, Kent State, Lafayette, Nebraska, Ohio, Robert Morris, Sacramento State, Temple, Toledo, Towson, UNLV, Youngstown State

2024 statistics: 38 catches, 630 yards, 27 carries, 352 yards, 15 total touchdowns

Highlights: Hudl

Tags: Woodland Hills