Tobias Makes His Pledge

Mississippi State added a big reinforcement on the offensive front earlier today when Columbus, Mississippi All-Star Tobias Smith made his decision to be a Bulldog.

Tobias Smith profile

"I committed to Mississippi State," said Tobias. "I was ready to go ahead and get it off my shoulders. I feel pretty good about it."

A pair of Mississippi State assistant coaches stopped by Columbus High School this afternoon and Tobias let them know his college intentions.

"I talked to Coach Grimes and Coach Stringer," said Tobias. "They weren't pressuring me at all. I just wanted to go ahead and get it out. They were kind of shocked that I went ahead and did it"

Shortly after getting off of work today, Kelvin Smith got the news that his oldest son Tobias had elected to spend his college days at Mississippi State.

"State is a good school and a great choice," said Tobias' father Kelvin Smith. "It's near us, so that really helps out."

Like most parents, Kelvin helped guide Tobias in his decision making process, but in the end Tobias had to make the final call.

"I have told him all of the time that where ever he felt like he was happy that he could go there," said Kelvin. "I don't want him calling me later saying 'Daddy, I want to come home'. We can talk about the good and bad of it all, but in the end the decision is his."

Tobias collected offers from seven schools throughout the southeast, but the two finalists were in state schools.

"State is a good school and Southern (Miss) is a good school," said Kelvin. "I don't think he could have gone wrong with either one."

After careful consideration, the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd was just more than Tobias could pass up. Knowing that his family would be in the stands was an important factor.

"That was really a big issue to him," said Kelvin. "That's the reason he canceled his visit to Louisiana Tech. He wanted to stay in state regardless. He wanted to stay near home. We have been following him since he has been in the sport. He knew that if he went some where far away we wouldn't have been able to see him play. We're working parents and I have five kids. That had a lot to do it. He wanted all of us to see him play and he just wanted to be near home."

Tobias agrees with his father's assesment of the situation.

"State is only twenty minutes away from home and you just can't find better football," said Tobias. " Tobias will officially visit Mississippi State this weekend. Despite making his commitment, Smith plans to take two other official visits.

"I am still going to Southern Miss next weekend and then I go to Baylor on Monday," said Tobias. "I try to be a man of my word, but I am still keeping my options open."

Watch Video