Smith sets visits, commitment date

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Rahshaun Smith knows what people think. Since the day he backed off his commitment to Clemson, most have expected the five-star defensive lineman to land at Maryland. The Terrapin football program employs his mentor, and there's certainly strong mutual interest at work.

That said, Smith spits in the face of the widespread notion. His words on the subject are strong. If Smith is, indeed, planning to commit to Maryland, he's doing a solid job of playing it off.

"If I had a top five or a top three, they would be No. 5 or No. 3," Smith said. "If I had one, I would tell you, but they would be at the bottom of that."

Blessed with the opportunity to official visit 3 Amazing schools with great academics, and great football🙏🏾 http://t.co/r84PoZL9WG- Desoto (@Nextlevel_shaq) August 26, 2015

WHAT'S NEXT?: Smith will take official visits to Auburn on Nov.14, Clemson on Dec. 11 and Maryland on Dec. 4. Smith intends to announce a verbal commitment at the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

IN HIS WORDS: "Of course [the broken commitment] was hard for Clemson, but me and Coach [Dabo] Swinney talked for about an hour and a half. At the end, I decommitted. He actually gave me some encouraging words, though, and said that he hopes I'm back at Clemson in January."

RIVALS' REACTION: Despite what Smith says, Maryland is the most likely landing spot here. Auburn could play the role of spoiler, sure, but the smart money with the Terrapins. Prospects don't normally break commitments just to reaffirm them down the road, so it stands to logic that Clemson is seen as the third option for the time being. A strong visit to Auburn could give the Tigers the edge, but there's certainly work left to do.

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