The Under Armour All-American game has a ton of the brightest stars in Orlando this week and one guy that has a presence in the middle of that defense is Seffner (FL) Armwood middle linebacker Petey Smith. Smith is in Orlando representing a powerhouse football program and in the middle of a heated recruiting battle between two of the South’s most storied programs.
Smith is having a great time at the all-star game and is finding it pretty easy out there on the field.
“It’s going pretty good I am just enjoying everything, soaking in everything, and having a good time,” Smith said. “For the linebackers it is pretty easy because they can’t run certain plays. They can’t run certain plays and there is really only one lineman trying to block me so it is kind of easy for me. The game speed is faster so you have to be on your P’s and Q’s, 24-7.
“The big reason I wanted to play in the game. The best if the best and on national television, what a better way to show college coaches what you can do.”
When asked who the best running backs were, Smith offered an odd answer.
“Russell Shepard is a monster,” Smith said. “He’s a good quarterback on my team and good as a running back. Jarvis Giles and Jamaal Berry ran the ball pretty well too.”
Recruiting will heat up for Smith after the game is over this weekend and he will be getting it from both sides of Alabama’s finest institutions.
“Next week I take my official to Alabama and the week after I take my official to Auburn,” he said. “It is out of those two right now. Both offered me. Auburn has been on me a lot because my brother goes there. Alabama just came into the picture a little late but every week I am hearing good things about them and built a good relationship with Coach Saban. I am just waiting for next weekend so I can get up to Tuscaloosa and see what it’s like.”
Auburn has been a little slow getting back with Smith on his recruitment since the hiring of Gene Chizik as the new head coach. He isn’t getting anything from the Auburn staff at the moment.
“Actually nobody (is recruiting me) and I just got some information that they signed the linebacker coach back, (Coach Willis)…that is really the only positive right now,” Smith said.
Smith was asked if he is leaning to Alabama.
“I guess you could say that,” he said. “I just like the way they use their linebackers. They have a good 4-3 defense. Their middle linebackers are always good run stoppers. They always have a good running game and a good defense.”
Smith talks about what he does well as a player.
“I think I can really stop the run. I play the pass well, but Coach Saban is looking for a good run stopper.”
This one is going to be a fun recruiting battle between the Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. Stay tuned for more.