Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 235 lbs., the Miami Northwestern defensive end Michael Smith is beginning to stand out. The Class of 2014 player took to the NFTC in Miami and showed great explosion off of the line of scrimmage and it is easy to see that teams are taking notice with a solid list of offers already.
Smith boasts offers from Louisville, Clemson, West Virginia, South Florida, Cincinnati, UCLA and Marshall, but he's receiving big time interest as well. "Miami (Fl.), Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Yale are showing interest too."
Smith grew up watching Miami, Florida and Florida State, so he wants offers from them and many more. "I want offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Miami, Florida, FSU and USC," Smith said. The last one is interesting, because it is across the country, but Smith doesn't seem to mind whether he stays in Florida or he goes out of state.
Michael Smith: Junior Highlights
"I'm looking at both. I'm really just trying to find the best place where I can develop my career," Smith said when asked if he wanted to stay in Florida or if he wanted to go out of state for college. He also hopes to take a few visits out of the state to "West Virginia, USC, Louisville, Clemson and Arkansas."
So, what is Smith looking for in a college? "Academics and atmosphere. The drive from the coaches for us (the players) to go to the NFL." It's clear to see that Smith is looking forward to his future and there's a good reason why. When asked what he feels he can bring to a college, Smith told us, "In a player like me, they will get a person who is self-motivated. I have a high motor and will always stay hungry. I'm trying to make it for my mom, who I lost when I was 9-years-old to breast cancer."
Tough thing for any child to go through.
Smith knows what he wants and he knows what he has to do to get it. "I need to improve on my coverage skills and technique," Smith said. "For the upcoming season, I'm trying to do anything that I can to help my team win."
As he has shown, Smith is definitely going to be a name that people will hear more of in the future and if he continues with his own motivation, he should go far.
