Commits key to Reichs pledge
Taylor Reich looked at all his options which included a recent visit to Nevada but SMU had always made the biggest impression on him so the San Diego (Calif.) Westview offensive tackle decided to end his recruitment with a pledge to the Mustangs.
SMU offensive line coach Adrian Klemm had an in-home visit with Reich on Monday evening and soon after the 6-foot-7, 285-pound prospect made his pledge.
Advertisement
Klemm made a big impression and so did coach June Jones but maybe the most crucial part of Reich's recruitment was how he connected with other SMU commits, which made him feel comfortable to be a part of the rebuilding process there.
"I really liked the players and the coaches," Reich said. "What really stood out to me at SMU is my class of players and how well I connected with them and how comfortable I was in believing we're going to be successful in the future.
"I felt that for a while that coach Jones has turned that whole program around and I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to be a part of the turn around of that program and I thought that was really cool."
Reich, a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, didn't immediately pick up an offer from SMU after his official visit in October but over time the Mustangs warmed up to him and finally delivered one.
UTEP and Nevada had also offered but SMU shot up the charts after it decided to offer. Reich said his connection with the other commits was one of the biggest keys to his commitment.
SMU's coaching staff has done an outstanding job recruiting California this season. The Mustangs have now landed pledges from four prospects in Reich, four-star defensive end Davon Moreland, three-star quarterback Conner Preston and two-star defensive back Michael Sparling.