…and there is a prospect stirring.
DeMarcus Smith was considered to be a lock in Coach Charlie Strong’s 2011 recruiting class. Yet today, Smith announced that he would choose between Central Florida and Louisville on Friday and not sign a letter of intent during tomorrow’s National Signing Day as widely expected. There was a little bit of evidence that Smith was wavering ever since the commitment of 5-star All-American Teddy Bridgewater in December, but nothing this major.
Smith visited UCF on Jan. 23, and since then has been “reconsidering his future.” Smith was one of the first to commit the Cards in December of 2009, and has even become a recruiter for UofL trying to get talent to join the Charlie Strong bandwagon. Smith graduated from Seneca High School in January. He was expected to be taking Spring classes to be able to participate in Spring practice. Yet, the NCAA Clearinghouse has yet to grant Smith early admission to the university.
There is currently a dead period for contact between coaches and prospects, but you have to imagine that the Cards will be talking to Smith. While insiders tell me that Smith hasn’t been interested in Kentucky for a while now, the recent loss of QB Mike Mossakowski has to have UK football staff chomping at the bit at some chance of picking up Smith.
What’s baffling about the situation is that Smith is running from competition with Bridgewater, but at UCF he will still be facing a serious competition for playing time. Last year UCF finished the year with and 11-3 record. The Knights won a bowl and were ranked in the final Top 25 rankings. All of this with freshman quarterback Jeffery Godfrey. Smith would be facing an even bigger challenge there than here in Louisville. Nonetheless, my bet is that DeMarcus Smith is going to end up in Orlando. Still this recruitment is still open, and nothing will be certain about Smith until he chooses a school Friday.
Look for a full look at the 2011 Cards recruiting class tomorrow.
