Surprise contender for Smith
Cameron Smith took another visit to USC and UCLA this weekend as the two Pac-12 teams compete for his commitment but a surprise Big 10 team cannot be counted out yet.
"Coach (Peter) Sirmon wasn't (at USC on Saturday) so I talked with his assistant and we got to watch some film," Smith said.
Advertisement
"I watched a lot of film and how the linebackers have improved so that was actually kind of nice. I got to see some of the stuff I haven't seen before like the training room so that was nice to see. It was a good visit."
Wisconsin is the Big 10 team that has made a serious push for Smith, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound four-star linebacker from Northern California. He said Wisconsin coaches stopped by his school twice last week and that he's becoming more interested in the Badgers as his recruitment continues.
"I like Wisconsin a lot right now, too," Smith said. "They were here twice this week. I've talked with the defensive coordinator and that was nice. I fit in well with them. They don't have that many linebackers there right now.
"I think it's a good fit in the Big 10. I was already kind of high on them so we'll see how it goes as things go on."
UCLA was the early favorite for the Granite Bay, Calif., standout but the Bruins have trailed off a little bit in recent months. Still, position coach Jeff Ulbrich is a big key in Smith's recruitment and the four-star said UCLA will stay under serious consideration.
"Ulbrich got emotional with me at the practice," Smith said Sunday at the Passing Down Best of the West 7on7 tournament. "He saw USC was high. He wears his heart on his sleeve. I love Ulbrich.
"He's a great coach and a great guy. He'll keep them in there. I love the coaching staff. They look good and they're going to be good this year. They're still high and they'll be in my top five when it comes out."
Smith, rated as the fifth-best inside linebacker in the 2015 class by Rivals.com, said Alabama could be close to offering as well. The Granite Bay recruit said an offer from the Crimson Tide would be "huge" in his recruitment and he's planning a trip to Tuscaloosa in June.