Jacob Smith is making some pretty quick leaps.
After being in an off-the-field role at LSU, where the Tigers won the Southeastern Conference's Western Division title last year in Brian Kelly's first season, and then landing a defensive quality control spot on Walt Wells's blossoming Eastern Kentucky program, Smith now is headed to the University of Arizona, sources tell FootballScoop.
For Jedd Fisch's Wildcats program, Smith is again expected to serve in an offensive graduate assistant role under under offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll.
The Wildcats closed their 2022 campaign with wins in two of their final three games, victories that marked an upset of then-No. 9 UCLA and a stirring win against heated rival Arizona State in the season-finale.
EKU had just hired CJ Conrad last week to become its tight ends coach and get the staff of Wells, whose led the Colonels' resurgence back into the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, back to full strength.
Now, Smith's departure creates another void in an off-the-field role for EKU, which is seeking back-to-back FCS Playoffs berths for the first time in more than a decade.
The open position on the Colonels staff will be on the defensive side of the ball and is expected to work primarily with the secondary. Interested parties can email Colonels Chief of Staff Garry McPeek: garry.mcpeek@eku.edu.
Arizona opens its 2023 season Sept. 2 against Northern Arizona before an intersectional game at SEC program Mississippi State the following week.
EKU plays up a level in back-to-back games against Power 5 foes to open its 2023 season, with contests at Cincinnati and Kentucky, respectively. The Colonels made national news in 2022 when they upended Football Bowls Subdivision program Bowling Green on the road in seven overtimes.