Smith looking at Pac-10 teams
Richard Smith has a plan but the Long Beach (Calif.) Poly wide receiver is keeping it a secret. With offers from UCLA and Washington, Smith said he really wants to stay in the Pac-10 but isn't hinting at which schools stand out most.
The Huskies and Bruins intrigue him for different reasons
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"Washington is kind of cool because it's a really good school academic-wise and the sports are really good, too," Smith said. "The coaches really stand out to me. If I went there I wouldn't be a stranger because Corey (Waller) is up there. I am interested in those guys.
"With UCLA, it's close to home so that's a big plus. They have good academics. I don't have a favorite at the moment, I go back and forth. I know what I'm going to do. I'm just not going to tell anybody yet. I'm going to wait until next year."
Cal is also one of Smith's favorite schools but the Golden Bears have not offered yet. Smith, who finished with 23 catches for 597 yards and eight touchdowns in his junior season, said he thinks Cal will offer at some point but it might take some time. The Poly standout seems fine with being patient.
"I think they're going to hold off until next year," Smith said. "That's what I'm predicting. I like that school a lot. I know Kameron (Jackson) is going there and I know other people too up there so that would be really cool."
USC and Arizona State are two other top schools for Smith, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound receiver who's considered one of the best at his position in the 2012 class in Southern California. Oregon is also being considered but he's not crazy about the weather there.
Although Smith is keeping his plans a secret, staying in the Pac-10 looks like the course of action moving forward.
"I'm mainly looking on the West Coast," he said.