DaMarcus Smith is starting to look like the prodigal son.

Smith asked Coach George O’Leary for a release from his letter of intent to the University of Central Florida. Smith was originally committed to the University of Louisville, but in a now infamous turn of events reconsidered announcing that he signed with the Knights.
O’Leary denied Smith’s request today, saying “the big thing is you sign a legal document and that’s what it is – a legal document. I’ve never in all my coaching given a release to an NLI and I’m not about to start. And he knew that. I told him that. Again, that’s why they have such a stiff penalty for people that don’t fulfill the NLI.”
While Smith has vehemently denied it, speculation surrounding the situation was that Smith was intimidated by five star recruit Teddy Bridgewater. Smith, a Seneca High School product, was the first major prospect to join Charlie Strong’s 2011 class. Smith was to come to join the Cardinals this Spring but wasn’t cleared by the NCAA.
Smith is now expected to appeal to the NCAA, but this will force him to lose year of eligibility if he comes to Louisville. Coach Strong has yet to comment on the situation but the Cards still have three players in the depth chart at Quarterback, and Smith has yet to speak about switching positions ala Michael Bush.