MSU, UT in mix for Florida RB

Three-star Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely running back Norris Smith is set to visit the final three schools on his list.

“I go to Mississippi State next weekend, on the 16th,” he said. “And then I’ll have Eastern Illinois on the 23rd and Tennessee on the 30th.

“Mississippi State is up there pretty high on my list right now. They’ve got a new head coach coming in, a good coach for running backs, and I think I have a good chance to get my career off to a good start with them. I know I can come in there and help them.

“Eastern Illinois has been on me really hard for a long time. A lot of people ask me why I’m looking at them, but they have a good program that a lot of people don’t know about. They have a lot of guys up there from Florida – something like 15. They tell me I could come in there and play right away, get a lot of carries.

“Tennessee has been talking with me as long as anybody, but I didn’t know if I was going to get an offer. They really want me now. I like the whole atmosphere of their program – that huge stadium and all those fans. I also like the way they use their running backs. They have a real strong running game. They always have a good, strong offensive line.”

Smith (5-10, 190, 4.46) rushed for 1,002 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior.