Nolen Catholic Head Football Coach Joe Prud’homme talked to Eagletalk.net about North Texas signee Smith, about his recruiting, about his play, what he is doing and what to expect from him when he arrives in Denton.

During his senior season he was listed at 6-3, 230 pounds but the coach said he is now 6-

4, 240 and is running in the 4.70-4.75 range in the forty. He is working “everyday in the weight room getting stronger in preparation” for next season at North Texas.

The picture on the right is Smith at the signing ceremonies at Nolen Catholic High.

The coach stated there were “12-13 serious inquiries about him” before the season started, the teams were from the Big 12, MWC, CUSA, WAC and others. Some of the teams Prud’homme mentioned by name were Nebraska , Iowa State , Rice, TCU, LaTech and of course North Texas. They all were interested in him until the first game of the season when he was injured with a small fracture in his hip. The injury resulted in him missing the first five games of the season and the result was the big name programs backed off him.

Prud’homme stated North Texas and LaTech offered and he choose North Texas for several reasons.  “He wanted to play close to home” and he “liked the idea of playing for the same team his father played for.” Smith’s father is Charlie Smith who played for North Texas in the 1980’s era.

North Texas, LaTech, TCU and a few others stayed on him after his injury. He lost interest in TCU because they wanted him to move to tackle. “He really wanted to play tight end” and the coach stated “with his soft hands, the way he runs routes” his size and determination he thinks Smith is best as a tight end in college. It is where North Texas plans to start him.

Even being out for the first five games of the season, Smith is credited with helping his team to their first undefeated season in school history. They went 13-0 and won the State Championship in dramatic fashion because of Smith. As a result of his heroics he was won the MVP Award.  It was the second year in the row for Nolen to win the TAPPS Division One Championship State Title.

Prud’homme explained Smith had seven catches in the title game. However, “three catches were in the final minutes of the game” which put the Vikings in position to kick a field goal to win the state title 21-20. He was also the leading receiver in the game.

During the playoff run, Smith had recorded eleven catches for 166 yards and one touchdown. None of his catches were more important then the last three in the title game. 

Smith was listed as the #2 tight end in the Top 50 list for the Fort Worth area. He was elected TAPPS Division One first team offense.

When asked if North Texas would have been in consideration for Smith services if the Big 12, MWC, CUSA schools had offered the coach stated he thought they still would have been in the picture. It was going to be a difficult choice for Smith to stay close to home and play for North Texas where his father played or play for a big name school. The injury made the choice a lot easier.

When Smith takes the field, North Texas fans will see a player with great hands, a huge body with strength to push defenders off the line. While some tight ends are blocking tight ends, others catching tight ends, Smith is both. He runs precise routes and can catch any ball near him. He can work his way back to the ball when the quarterback gets into trouble. Once he catches the ball he is extremely hard to bring down and almost has to be gang tackled.

He is effective blocking defenders at the line but he also blocks extremely well downfield. When he locks onto a defender, they find it extremely difficult to get rid of him. He sticks to a defender like flypaper.

Grades are not going to be an issue for Smith and he should be ready to go next season. As for playing football as a true freshman “I think he is about a year out” the coach stated. However, you never know what will happen. Smith has played other sports but during his senior season he gave them up to concentrate only on football.

So in the off season he is in the weight room working out getting ready to play for North Texas .