Cincy TE Alex Smith says he’ll sign with Kentucky
February 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
larry@amnews.com
Cincinnati tight end Alex Smith has backed off his verbal commitment with North Carolina and plans to sign with Kentucky Wednesday.
“I am going to a team where I am more of a need than a want,” said the 6-5, 255-pound Smith. “UK is graduating three tight ends and I have a chance to play early. Me and my family bleed blue, so this is going to be the best choice for me.
“Kentucky just kept calling and showing interest. They will have Morgan Newton at quarterback and Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke on offense. That and a chance to play as a freshman at a SEC school is not a bad combination. Plus, my mom and family can get to see me play a lot easier, which is a big help for her.”
Smith committed to hometown Cincinnati early before backing off that decision. He liked both Wisconsin and Kentucky before committing to North Carolina where he planned to enroll for the spring semester.
He gave up playing basketball to graduate early so he could enroll at North Carolina, but was not admitted because he was a half-credit short after taking online classes to complete his high school degree.
“My counselor signed me up for an online chemistry course that the NCAA didn’t accept. Then I tried to take a Spanish course but I couldn’t get it done in time and that put me in a bind.”
He’s been working out on his own with a personal trainer, but he now plans to move to Lexington later this month or early in March to get a head start on his UK career.
“I can lift on my own, meet with coaches. I can’t do team things,” Smith, who has family members in Hazard, said. “I can work out one on one with (strength) coach Rock (Oliver) and that is something I really want to do.”
Smith says he thinks UK’s offense can prepare him for the NFL much like it did Tamme, who will play for Indianapolis in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
“They like a pro-style offense and like a tight end that can catch but is also a good blocker. I used to watch Jacob Tamme play (at Kentucky) a lot. I am a big fan of his,” Smith said.
Many recruiting analysts think he has the same skills and potential as Tamme, a two-time all-Southeastern Conference performer.
“Jacob Tamme is my guy. I feel like I can stretch the field like he could. I’ve always been 6-5, 6-6 and even played receiver as a freshman and sophomore. Then I went up to 260 pounds, my blocking came on and I still had a receiver’s speed. I led my team in receiving all four years. No matter what, I will go after the ball. I never stop going for the ball. I will find a way to bring it in to my chest. I will run over guys to get up the field and do all that type of stuff.”
He said UK head coach Joker Phillips was “very happy” when he told him he wanted to sign with Kentucky.
“He said I would be one of the top-rated players in their recruiting class, so I am excited about that,” Smith said. “I came down for another visit and coach Phillips said he didn’t think he had a shot at me. But I liked what I saw. Cobb, Newton and some other guys showed me around. I have had a great time on campus each time I have been there.
“I wanted a place where I could come in and potentially play early. I trust the UK coaches when they tell me I will have that opportunity. I don’t know much about the other players in our recruiting class, but the coaches tell me they are getting some good players and I know they already have good players. So I am excited because I know we can have a good team.”
He says his mom never tried to sway him to sign with Kentucky, Cincinnati or North Carolina.
“She was there for me either way, but our whole family bleeds blue. They are all big Kentucky fans,” Smith said. “I can tell she is excited that I have decided to go to Kentucky. Even though she never said it, that’s probably where she wanted me to go all along.”
Posted in UK Football
Good news! Keep the recruits coming! GO CATS!!
He’s from the same school as hard-nosed John Conner is from! They have a great football program, especially this year (Smith, UC recruit, Texas recruit, amotg others) Maybe West Chester, Ohio can become the northern version of La Grange, Georgia.
Huge news! This guy has a real shot to start at TE in the fall. Now we need to seal the deal for Thornton!
Don’t expect Thornton to sign with UK. Do expect UK to sign Simon Kenton running back Miles Simpson. Of course, Cats probably are going to lose a couple of original commits, too
This is unbelievable news not only for right now but for the future of our program. I think that it was really hard for Brooks to establish anything in the Northern KY/Ohio area because of the staff he had in place for recruiting. Adding Rock Oliver was huge for this staff and the guys we have in place now should do a great job in the future. Adding someone this good this early in his tenure from that area can only make the future appear brighter. I am sticking to my prediction saying the 2011 class will be the best one we have had in KY in a very long time because I know the types of efforts these guys will put forth.
Hope you are right Tanner. Maybe Rock was the deciding factor in Miles Simpson picking UK also
I’ve got a special place in my heart for good blockers at
the tight end spot, and if this gentleman gives half the effort that
Jacob Tamme gave, we will have gained a valuable asset to the Football Cats!
He IS needed, and if he sets an example of going after EVERY ball near
him, maybe it will rub off on our other receivers.
Sounds like he has a great attitude!
[...] UK’s class, Smith was a late signee with the Wildcats. When he committed, the Ohio native said that he was “going to a team where I am more of a need than a want,” which makes sense [...]