Chicago Mount Carmel has a class of 2014 prospect to know in defensive lineman Enoch Smith Jr.. At 6'2, 265-lbs, he can go inside or outside and had a big sophomore year on varsity. On Friday, his production combined with his talent lead to a milestone when Northern Illinois gave him his first offer.
"It's an amazing feeling to know my parents won't have to pay for college and I get a free education. And to play college football, it's amazing and something I always wanted to do, so to receive a scholarship from NIU is amazing. I've actually been in contact with them since freshman year and I've been to their football camp, practices and spring game."
Of course, the Huskies are due to have some competition. There are many schools contacting Smith as well and a couple he has been to.
"Illinois (where close friend and teammate Vontrell Williams will be a freshman in the fall) sent me letters. I've been up there for their spring game and practices. Stanford, they invited me to camp because my trainer was talking to them about me. Georgia Tech has started talking to me, and Ohio State and Michigan State."
June will be an extremely busy month for Smith, as he looks to go coast to coast on the camp circuit.
"I have a couple of them I know I'm going to for sure, but that's not all of the schools. I'm going to Stanford, Ohio State, Illinois, Northern Illinois, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Texas and I believe going to try to go to Florida, Michigan State, Michigan and Notre Dame."
There will be many miles logged and a lot of time spent out on the field for Smith, but he knows it will be worth it to show each of these programs and others, that he is one of the Windy City's best.
"It's me wanting to get my name out around the nation, not just around the Midwest schools and to see prestigious schools that I would love to go to."