Rivals100 ATH names five

The office of New Brunswick, N.J. head football coach John Quinn has been flooded recently with coaches inquiring about his star athlete, Brandon Smith.

While the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder cannot meet with these coaches, he fully acknowledges their presence as a sign of what a hot commodity he is to college programs.

"The month of May was crazy," said Smith. "I think coaches from every top Division I school in the nation was around. Everything has been going good, I can't complain about anything right now. I'm getting recruited heavily and I'm loving it right now. I can't wait for this upcoming season so I can win another state championship."

The Rivals250 athlete and his Zebra teammates rebounded from two consecutive losses to start the season to capture the North Jersey Section two, Group three state championship. Smith threw a 60-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to put New Brunswick up for good.

His two-way performance as a quarterback and a defensive back in 2006 has caught the attention of numerous major programs in the eastern United States.

"A lot of head coaches have stopped by," said Smith. "I was surprised myself when they stopped by. A lot of the main recruiting coordinators from each school have stopped by. They're showing that they really want me.

"The head coaches from Rutgers, Boston College, I'm pretty sure the NC State coach stopped by, there's just so many coaches here that I don't even know anymore."

While he does not have a clear cut leader, he said that there are a few select teams that stand out in his eyes.

"I have a top five – Michigan, Florida, Ohio State, NC State and Iowa," said Smith. "A lot of schools are recruiting me to play as an athlete. I'm getting all kinds of looks from every position. I heard safety, quarterback, receiver or linebacker. Basically wherever I go I just want to get on the field. I'd prefer safety because I like crackin' a few heads."

Smith also outlined his plans for a decision, which will likely not come anytime soon.

"It depends on the All-American game, because I got nominated for it but they haven't picked the teams yet," said Smith. "If I do make the game, I would like to announce then, but if I didn't I would most likely wait until signing day.

"Unless I take one of my official visits and I like that school heavily over every other school, then that is the school that I'm going to go with."

He also spoke about his interest in Boston College. The Eagles have offered and are recruiting him as a quarterback. Although they did not land in his early top five, Smith did have positive things to say about the program.

"They are in it, I like Boston College," said Smith. "I felt that their head coach coming in to my school was good. Also, when I talk to the other coaches I felt that they were really telling me how the program really works and what they were looking to do. I felt that the broke everything down for me, and I respected the coaches for that."

In 2006, Smith accounted for over 1,000 yards of total offense, and intercepted nine passes on defense. For his efforts he was named first team all-area, first team all-state and the Home News Tribune's defensive player of the year.