HERMAN SMITH IS SAN DIEGO'S "PRIME" DEFENSIVE BACK

When the San Diego Strike Force knocked off Northern Arizona 52-37 on June 14th, defensive back Herman Smith had an outstanding game with two interceptions, three tackles, and a pass breakup. That performance earned him Indoor Football League Defensive Player of the Week honors. When the IFL made that announcement on June 18th, a response was posted by someone who means a great deal to Smith.

You could say this person is a "Prime" figure in Smith's life.

"Proud of u man!", said University of Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders.

The 6-0 195-pound Smith played for Sanders at both Jackson State and Colorado.

"It's nothing but love from Coach Prime," said Smith. "Coach Prime is always going to show love to all of the guys who played for him. I'm blessed to have a coach like Coach Prime in my life. He's taught me a lot." 

A lot of those lessons, at both Jackson State and Colorado, centered around knowing his assignment and using different techniques and, most importantly, the right techniques when it comes to guarding certain players.

Sanders also taught him about confidence. 

"Being confident is the number one thing for me," said the 23-year-old Smith. "No matter who I'm going up against, I'm going to put a fight with anybody and that's the mentality I've always had."

Smith initially played for Sanders at Jackson State in 2021 and 2022 before moving on to Idaho State for the 2023 season. Smith would head back to the transfer portal and was looking for a new home for his senior season in 2024.

It just so happened that one of his options was a reunion with Coach Sanders at Colorado.

It didn't take Smith very long to decide that he was going to be a Colorado Buffalo.

"I made a decision pretty quick," said Smith. "I wanted to get back to the higher levels. I feel like I belong at a higher level like that. I've always been around good competition. I've never been scared of competition." 

In 2024, Smith played in all twelve regular-season games for the "Buffs", primarily on special teams. He had five tackles, three unassisted, and had 162 special teams snaps, the sixth most on the team as he was part of the kickoff, kick return, punt return and punt coverage groups. When he played for Sanders and Jackson State, he played in 21 games over two seasons and had 33 tackles, a sack, one interception, six pass deflections and a forced fumble. 

Coach Prime certainly had him ready for the next level and the San Diego native, who played at Lincoln High School, had an NFL opportunity as he attended rookie minicamp with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Smith is certainly enjoying his time in the Indoor Football League, but he's hoping to use his experience with the Strike Force to get another chance on the big field.

"My goal is to get to the NFL," said Smith. "I'm trying to get back to the NFL. That's always been my dream. I'm 23 years old. I feel like I have what it takes to be in that league."

While getting another opportunity in the NFL is a goal for Smith, things are going pretty well for him in the IFL with San Diego as the Strike Force holds down first place in the Western Conference with a 9-2 record. 

Life is good.

"We have the team to be in first place," said Smith. "I feel like we have all the pieces and everything we need as a defense and as an offense. I feel like we have everything we need. We're team players. We ride along with one another and we communicate well. We do everything together. These (guys) are like my brothers now."

Smith has adapted well to the fifty-yard game.

Through eleven games with the Strike Force, he has amassed 42 tackles, five interceptions, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

"Herm has been an unbelievable addition to our defense this year," said Strike Force Head Coach Taylor Genuser. "He takes pride in playing for his city and brings a great level of intensity to our team. He's picked up the indoor game quickly and has made huge plays for us all season."

And those plays have helped put the Strike Force in position to compete for an IFL National Championship. Throughout most of the season, a lot of the conversation in the Western Conference centered around the Vegas Knight Hawks and the Arizona Rattlers, the last two IFL National Champions. There was also this feeling that San Diego could not be taken seriously because through their first ten games of the season, they didn't beat a team with a winning record.

And then came a 43-39 win over Vegas on June 10th at Frontwave Arena that vaulted the Strike Force into the penthouse of the Western Conference. 

"Everybody doubted us," said Smith. "They thought we didn't have the tools and everything we needed to actually be in first place and look at us now…first place. We have great coaches who are going to lead us to the championship." 

And now, the Strike Force are back in action this Sunday as they pay a visit to the Jacksonville Sharks (Yahoo Sports at 7:30 p.m. ET).

It's another challenge for San Diego against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

"We just have to come out with the same mindset," said Smith. "We have to come ready to go in the first quarter and the first play of the game. Jacksonville is going to come ready to go and we just have to be ready for the atmosphere and everything that comes with it." 

The Strike Force has five regular season games remaining before they embark on a postseason journey that they hope takes them to Tucson, Arizona for the IFL National Championship Game on August 16th. While overlooked by many around the indoor football world, San Diego is now in the conversation when it comes to teams who could win it all.

But that was always the belief in the San Diego locker room.

"For sure," said Smith. "Of course. 100%. We're like that. We have everything we need. We have NFL talent."

Herman Smith has a chance to have a very special 2026. He could be part of an IFL Championship team with San Diego and then, based on his performance, could be in line for another shot at the NFL.

He certainly has a big fan in Deion Sanders and it goes without saying that Smith is in "Prime" position to reach all of his goals.