Missouri commit mulling visits to various campuses

Josh Smith’s commitment to Missouri came swiftly. The class-of-2018 defensive end won’t sign a letter of intent until roughly 16 months from now. The ore concerning aspect for Tiger fans, however, is that Smith’s commitment came without a visit to campus.

And as tends to be the case with sight-unseen commitments that take place early in the process, the battle to land Smith is far from over. Other campus visits? He already has a few in mind.

I want to check out the University of Houston,” Smith said. “I want to go to Missouri, of course. Then, Arkansas and Kansas State.”

Mizzou represents Smith lone major offer at this point, but that will likely change in the future. The schools on Smith’s tentative visit lists have all been heavily involved with the linebacker since he chose the Tigers and he expects offers to materialize.

“K-State’s defensive line coach came by here recruiting me. He’s trying to get me [and teammates Shamod Sullivan and Kenneth Harton] to visit. He sees us on film and thinks all three of us would be really great up there. We’re all probably going to visit together. “

Smith, who attends New Orleans’ Landry-Walker High School, committed to Missouri in August. He called Mizzou his “dream school” upon his commitment, citing former Tiger star Michael Sam as the players after which he models his game.

IN HIS WORDS: “I hear it’s pretty good up there at Missouri, but that’s not important. The reason I’m committed there is because I know the school is a good fit for me in every way, especially style of defense.”

RIVALS REACTION: Sight-unseen commitments are fickle. So Mizzou must get Smith to campus before other offers begin to arrive in an effort to stabilize his pledge. It’s hard to project how Smith’s recruitment may play out at this early juncture because he lacks a long offer list. Things will clear up as his options expand and visits take place.