Georgia Peach visits western school

While many of the Southeast's top players were attending the NIKE Camp held in Athens two Saturday's ago, one of the south's best was in Southern California taking in his step-brother's graduation from college. This talented player has 23 offers on his table. Look that number to increase that have offered this talented youngster.

The player in question is linebacker Toryan Smith (6-2, 230, 4.65) from Rome, Ga.

While he was in southern California he took an unofficial visit to UCLA. Smith didn't have the time to check out USC but if he did, he would have also spent some time there.

The Los Angeles schools aren't the only western colleges that Smith is interested in, Washington could also be a player in his recruitment.

UCLA, Washington, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Duke, Nebraska and Oklahoma are just a sampling of the colleges that have offered Smith a full ride.

During his unofficial visit to UCLA recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, strength and conditioning coach Doc Kries, tight end/assistant head coach Jon Embree and starting linebacker Justin London showed Smith around the campus.

How did Smith like Los Angeles?

"It's a little different than the South," Smith said. "It's a little more laid back than the South. I liked it."

"The weather was great," Smith said. "It wasn't as humid as down here but it was still warm."

"I could play at UCLA," Smith said. "I was talking to Justin (London) and was telling me how it out there."

"We're both from the south and my number is also nine," Smith said. "I could step right in and wear his number."

"When I was younger I liked UCLA's uniforms so I started to watch them," Smith said. "I also have two step-brothers who live in California so I have visited there so I had the interest."

"I sent UCLA my highlight tape," Smith said. "after watching a couple of plays the Bruins offered."

"I'm considering an official visit to UCLA," Smith said. "I plan on taking my official visits away from the Southeast."

What are Smith's visiting plans?

"I'm going to take unofficial visits to all the schools I'm interested in the South since most are only five hours away," Smith said. "I plan on taking to all my official visits to schools to schools that are farther away."

"I never looked at Washington in my life," Smith said. "But I went to Notre Dame's camp last and I was very impressed by Coach (Ty) Willingham."

"The way Coach Willingham talked and handled himself makes you want to play for him," Smith said. "His whole demeanor was impressive. I liked Coach Willingham a lot."

Because of the respect that Smith has for Willingham the Huskies have an excellent chance at getting a visit.

Whoever gets visits from this Georgia Peach will be getting sweet news indeed.

Smith was 7AAAA Player of the Year, first-team all-state, first-team all-city and first-team all-league after accounting for 112 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three picks.

The scouting report on Smith is he's a very mature young man. He's very intelligent on and off the field. He also displays outstanding leadership qualities. Smith takes great angles and gets to the football. Like all great linebackers, he has a great eye for the football.

To see Smith in action click on the link.