Smith talks recruiting, games
LAKELAND, Fla.- Four-star linebacker Kendall Smith from Bushnell (Fla.) South Sumter has been one of the top defensive standouts for the North Squad during practice for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game this week.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Florida State commit displayed good speed and lateral movement during Wednesday's workout in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts.
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Following the workout, Smith talked about what led him to become a Seminole.
"I was going to take a visit to Ole Miss, but I don't think that's going to work out," Smith said. "I am 100 percent committed to Florida State. That's my home, up there."
Early on, Smith felt like the Noles simply were right for him.
"When I went up there for the first time for camp, I was like 'dang, I like it up there'," Smith said. "And that was for camp. Then, they offered me a week later and it felt like home."
He's enjoyed his experience at the North-South Game so far.
"It's been fine," he said. "We're just trying to win it for the North. We just want to bring it home because they (the South) won last year, I watched it. I just want to win and then get ready to go down for my other all-star game."
That other all-star game is the inaugural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which will kick off at 5 p.m. Jan. 4 at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium. The game will be televised live by ESPNU. Rivals.com is the game's official selection partner.
Smith has been selected to play linebacker for the East squad.
As for this week's game, Smith cited the North's defensive line, which is led by Notre Dame commit Ian Williams and current Florida commit Linval Joseph, as something to watch in Friday's game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland.
"Our defensive line impressed me real good," he said.
Smith is rated as the nation's No. 18 outside linebacker prospect.