Smith has Texas Tech ties, but stays open

Since Mansfield (Texas) Summit offensive tackle Kyle Smith had a father who played for Texas Tech, many think that the 6-foot-6, 280-pound two-star sleeper is looking for a Red Raider offer over others.

Jesse Smith, his father who played in Lubbock in the early 80's, is not pushing his son towards playing for the Big 12 team. He is pushing him to evaluate all of his options and narrow things down soon.

"I think he's handling it pretty well," Smith's father said. "He hasn't been to many campuses or very few I should say. He has been to several Texas Tech games over the years so he likes that, but I wouldn't say it's a family tradition. Really my brother and I were the only two that went there from my family."

Tulane and New Mexico State are two teams that have offered Smith and his father thinks it could have been more if not for his injury early on.

"When you're out during the spring like that, it can kind of hurt you a little bit," Smith said. "The guys that came around here didn't get to see him. Now we're just trying to get him to state which schools he's most interested in and go from there."

The Red Raiders are still under consideration even though they haven't offered.

"They seem to be serious," Smith said about his son's recruitment by Tech. "I've read that they've gotten commitments from some offensive lineman, but I don't know if they're waiting to see if they can get some others as well or not. I'm not sure how they're working it."

Smith's father says that his son's visits will likely be after the season and a decision timeframe has not been discussed at this time."