Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine
Hoosiers Surprise Smith with First Offer
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Spring practice for high school football has started up all over the country and on Monday coaches from the University of Indiana made their way to Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, FL to see DE Malik Smith and see how he performed in a controlled practice. After getting the chance to see Smith excel on the practice field Indiana coaches decided to pull the trigger on extending an offer and couldn't have been more surprised by the news.
"I found out coaches from Indiana were going to be at practice on Monday but I had no idea they were there to see me," said Smith. "They came up to me after practice was over and told me they were very impressed with my talents and that they wanted to extend me an official offer. I had not been in contact with them and for them to give me offer makes me so happy and excited that I can finally say I have a chance to play college football."
Smith is a pass rushing defensive end (6'2 235lbs) that has long been attending camps and combines in hopes of gaining interest from college coaches. He had been receiving attention from a few coaches on the Division 1 level but Indiana was defiantly not a school that had shown any interest in Smith.
"I had not heard from Indiana until Monday afternoon but I guarantee you I am so happy that I have now," said Smith. "They are in the Big 10 and I have a former high school teammate that went there and eventually made it into the NFL so I know if I went there I would have every opportunity to play on the biggest stage of college football and eventually have the chance to make it into the pros. I love having this offer and Indiana will defiantly be in it until the end for my commitment."
Smith is hoping now that since his first official offer has come through that more schools will come in and send offers his way as well. He is looking to cap off spring practice in a big way and then transition into college camps over the summer. Smith is picking up steam on the recruiting scene and he is looking to see what schools come through with interest before he is able to set up any camps.
"Right now I have visits set up for Florida International, Penn St and Central Florida and I defiantly plan to visit and camp with Indiana this summer," said Smith. "I have been to UCF a few times now and I would say them along with FIU, Purdue and Georgia Southern would be the schools recruiting me the hardest. I really think the coaches at UCF like what they see out of me and if I had to guess as to who could offer me next I would say them. I am also looking to set up camps with schools I have yet to hear from. I want to get this summer and see as many college campuses as I can and hopefully gain more interest from some bigger named programs."
Smith is in no rush to make any decisions at this time. He is just excited that he has finally received a college offer and it now justifies to him that his talent is Division 1 capable.
"I am really enjoying my recruiting process and I have no time frame on making any decisions," said Smith. "I think now that I have been able to get my first offer that it will hopefully springboard me into another atmosphere in my recruitment and gain more interest more schools I have yet to hear from. Indiana will be one place that will always stay at the front of my mind because they were the first school to offer me and give me the chance to compete in Division 1 college football."
*NUC 5 Star Showcase Attendee (Florida) - Ultimate 100 Invite*
Offers: Indiana. Others Interested: Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia Southern, Idaho, Louisville, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Penn St, Purdue and UCF.
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