Smith breaks down his choice

Three-star offensive tackle Will Smith out of Christchurch, Va. pulled an offer last week from the ACC. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder followed up with a decision last night and decided to head to Wake Forest.

"About a week ago they offered me," he said. "They said I could commit once I got the academic stuff worked out.

"Last night they sent an email and said it was worked out and if I still wanted to commit I could."

Smith contacted his recruiter, Tim Billings.

"I told him when I was there I was going to commit and he was surprised and really excited when I did it last night."

What made Smith make the choice?

"They really liked my second camp when I went to their one-day," he said. "I like that I grew up in Winston-Salem. That's where I'm from and I've always been around Wake Forest, watching them play football. Also, it's a small school like Christchurch, it's just a nice fit coming from a small school and going to another small school with an emphasis on academics.

"Wake Forest is known for being a very prestigious school and Christchurch is known for that too. It was just the feel on campus too. It felt the same and I knew when I toured Christchurch that's where I was going to go and I got the same on Wake's campus."

For Smith, heading home was a big factor.

"It definitely means a lot," he said. "I mean, being able to go back where it all started. Last summer I never played football in my life. I went there (Wake Forest) for a football camp and my dad asked Coach Billings, give me an honest evaluation, can he play football. He told my dad he needed to get this kid into football and that they needed to stay in touch. They were basically the first people to show any interest in me, and it feels so good to go back where it all started."

As for his role, Smith is a flex lineman for the Demon Deacons.

"Actually they told me they'd put me in a position where I can start as soon as I can, whether that's offensive tackle, offensive guard or center," he said. "That's fine with me, I'm not stuck playing tackle, I'm a lineman that can play anywhere."

Overall Smith is thrilled with his choice.

"I'm really happy," he said. "A year ago I didn't think I'd be doing anything in college, football or basketball and now I'm going to one of the best schools and in the ACC the next few years. It's like a dream come true."