Recruiting on the South Plains | JUCO Defensive Tackle Marcus Smith Commits to Texas Tech

PLAYER: Marcus Smith

POSITION: Defensive Tackle
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 305
FORTY: N/A
JUCO: Highland C.C. (Highland, KS)
VIDEO: Clip 1
RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals 5.4 | Scout | ESPN N/R | 24/7 Sports 80
CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.7926
VTM PROFILE DATE: December 15, 2013

OFFERS | Charlotte, Memphis, Middle Tennessee St., New Mexico St., North Texas, Temple, Texas St., Texas Tech, UAB, UTEP, and Western Kentucky.

STATS | For Highland this year, Smith had 49 tackles for the year, averaging 4.9 a game, 4.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss. Obviously, the TFL usually includes sacks, but the JUCO stats separate them (which I like).

THE PLAYER SPEAKS | Per RP, Smith took the visit and made the commitment:

"I took my visit this weekend and I told the coaches I feel home, I've felt home the whole week," Smith said. "I met with our defensive coordinator (Matt Wallerstedt) and we talked football, we talked about life and I like his scheme. I like where the program is headed. I like the opportunity to be a big-time player for Texas Tech."

Smith said it wasn't just his visit with Wallerstedt that sealed the deal. He liked coach Kliff Kingsbury, the players and how he saw the program operate Saturday up at the football facility.

"Friday, I had a great time with the coaches and a great time with the players and then Saturday I watched them practice," Smith said. "Basically after watching them in practice, watching film with them and talking football with

SCOUTING REPORT | Smith holds up well at the point of attack, can take on two offensive linemen and still make a really good play. He's pretty relentless. Smith does a really nice job of holding the line and isn't getting pushed around. It's strange considering his listed strength, only benching 385, but he's really good at the point of attack. I don't know if this speaks to the competition, but the Jayhawk Conference is pretty good in terms of JUCO play.

Smith really carries his weight well, he's not just a big guy that's taking up space. I have this immediately thought of comparing Smith to Wesley, who also played his JUCO ball in Kansas. Smith isn't exactly quick off the ball, and if I had my way, he'd be pretty much limited to being inside between the tackles, but not on the end.

Marcus, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!

THE 2014 CLASS |