Three-star ATH nearing decision

Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips is one of the most stops among college coaches recruiting the Sunshine State. The school annually produces quite a bit of talent and the class of 2011 is no different. One of the stalwarts of the Panthers is athlete LaQuentin Smith.

The three-star prospect holds offers from several SEC, Big 10 and Big East schools such as Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia. However, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Smith has pretty much narrowed his list to a top two consisting of Arkansas and South Florida.

"Last week, July 18 and 19, I went to Arkansas for a visit," Smith said. "It went well actually. I really enjoyed myself. I talked to a lot of folks. I met with head coach Bobby Petrino and we talked about things I could do to help out Arkansas."

Smith is listed as an athlete, but his future is almost certainly on the defensive side of the ball.

"I worked out at linebacker and safety (at Arkansas)," he said. "They're looking at me on defense but I'm not sure which position. Georgia Tech is looking at me to play quarterback. I played some there this spring. Other than that, most of the teams are looking at me to play linebacker or safety. It really doesn't matter to me because, no matter what, I'm getting a free education.

"I play both strong safety and outside linebacker right now. We play a 3-3 stack, so it's sort of the same position. I'm comfortable playing either one."

After the trip to Fayetteville, Smith's teammate and good friend Roderick Ryles pulled the trigger on a commitment to the Razorbacks. Many assumed Smith would be next and he admits it is a possibility.

"There's always a possibility," he said. "I say that with all my teammates. We've been together for four years so there's always a possibility. If I go to Arkansas, I'm going to be trying to bring my cousin with me - (Alabama four-star athlete commit) Hasean Clinton-Dix. I'll try and get him to de-commit and come to Arkansas. It's a family thing and a team thing."

In fact, Petrino and company could receive a commitment quite soon from the standout defender.

"It's close," Smith said of a possible Arkansas commitment. "I might any day now, but I really don't know. That's my leader right now. That's who I'm considering the most. I don't know when I'm going to decide; it might be tomorrow or it might be a little ways from now. I still keep in contact with all the coaches and stuff."

However, Smith warns not to count USF out of the equation.

"Right now, I have them tied. They're tied with Arkansas," he said of the Bulls.

No matter where he chooses, Smith looks to be making a decision in the very near future.

"I can see myself committing there sometime soon, probably in the next couple of weeks before fall camp starts," he said of Arkansas. "I'll commit somewhere before we start practice."

Last season Smith tallied 97 tackles, including six for losses, an interception, seven pass breakups and four fumble recoveries.