Bailey reveals his choice
Three-star athlete De'von Bailey wanted to keep his commitment a secret and on Signing Day, the Lawton (Okla.) Eisenhower standout let the public know where he was heading.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound prospect held scholarship offers from the likes of Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Clemson. However, it was a Texas school that impressed him enough. Not only has his commitment been made, but he's already faxed in his letter of intent.
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"I just got done signing my letter and I'm a done deal for SMU," Bailey said. "I'm going to the cleaners right now to pick up my coat for the Signing Day announcement. You can release the story – I'm going to SMU."
Bailey, the No. 6 rated prospect in the state of Oklahoma, says that he wanted to keep his commitment a secret because there was so much talk about where he was going to go for the next four years. He says by waiting until Signing Day, everyone could find out together.
Choosing the Mustangs had a lot to do with the family atmosphere and his relationship with recruiting coach Eric Roark.
"Oh man, it's just like family at SMU," Bailey said. "The coaches, the players, it's wonderful. They've got great facilities, great people, and everything. My family went down there with me and they enjoyed it as much as me.
"Coach Roark is a wonderful guy. He kept in touch with me everyday and visited my family here in Oklahoma."
Bailey says that he's glad to be done with the recruiting process and is ready to do what he can do to get on the field early at SMU.
"I have a great shot of actually playing next year if I do my business," Bailey said. "I'm going to be a defensive back at safety. A lot of people have been waiting for this, so this is wonderful to be done. Even at the barber shop yesterday, they were all asking about it.
"Now they know."