Myrtle Beach defensive end Matt Smith took the drama out of his recruitment on Thursday, committing to the U.S. Naval Academy one week before he is scheduled for an official visit to the school.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound all-state pick will likely play defensive end in Navy's 3-4 scheme, but he's shown enough versatility during his career that he could fill a hybrid role as a defensive end or outside linebacker.
Smith will take his official visit to the Annapolis, Md., campus on Jan. 16, but now the Navy coaches can focus on welcoming him into the family instead of continuing to recruit him.
``I know it's going to be a challenge,'' Smith said of the on- and off-field lifestyle at Navy. ``I'm ready for whatever comes my way. I'm ready for a challenge, and I think this is going to be a big challenge.''
Smith had a bevy of Football Championship Subdivision offers and seriously considered Appalachian State until the Mountaineers told him they planned to play him on the offensive line. He also considered Furman, but eventually his desire to play in the Football Bowl Subdivision won out.
``I think it's perfect,'' Seahawks coach Scott Earley said. ``He wanted to play [FBS] football. I think they do more with less than anybody in the country. Matt's an overachiever and that's the kind of guys they
win with.
``He is the No. 1 guy is this class that they wanted. I've never seen a [college] staff that was this excited about getting somebody. We're always excited for our kids here, but I've never seen anybody get so excited about one kid. They think they have stolen an [major college] defensive end.''
Smith, who was named to the Associated Press all-state team, led the area in sacks in each of the past two seasons, racking up a state-high 19 as a junior and 18 more in Myrtle Beach's run to the Class AAA state championship last fall.
congrats Matt!!!! show all the college teams that passed on you that they made a BIG mistake!!!!
GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!
Posted by: MBkid | January 08, 2009 at 07:31 PM
it is just amazing all these bcs players at mb that are overlooked...all that talent...all those all-americans,all-staters...what a bunch of idiots at these schools...tressels,meyers,stoops,spurriers...they do not know talent when they see it...thank goodness Dabo is a close friend of Earleys...this all will change
Posted by: columbus | January 09, 2009 at 01:14 AM
Matt, it was a pleasure to watch you all these years at MB and I know you will not only give Navy all they wished for on the Football field but also serve our country with honor and courage.
Posted by: seahawkforever | January 09, 2009 at 08:09 AM
whats a joke? if its the fact that a very good football player is getting the chance to play at the next level than your the joke. think if you were him how you would feel.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MBkid | January 09, 2009 at 06:14 PM
whats a joke? if its the fact that a very good football player is getting the chance to play at the next level than your the joke. think if you were him how you would feel.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MBkid | January 09, 2009 at 06:14 PM
whats a joke? if its the fact that a very good football player is getting the chance to play at the next level than your the joke. think if you were him how you would feel.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MBkid | January 09, 2009 at 06:15 PM
whats a joke? if its the fact that a very good football player is getting the chance to play at the next level than your the joke. think if you were him how you would feel.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MBkid | January 09, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Congrats to this young man. I moved here from Annapolis three years ago. You'll love the town, academy, and experience.
And to "don't worry about it" who said "what a joke", this young man will acquire a $200,000 education on par with most any institution of higher learning in the country. As as a taxpayer (assuming you pay any taxes)"don't worry", it will be your tax dollars paying for his education-what goes around. An then he will provide you (in his naval career) with the very freedom that allows you to say "what a joke". Feel kinda foolish?
Posted by: Teddyterp | January 09, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Teddyterp do you think you could help MBkid learn how to read and write...Jethro Bodine may have only had a 6th grade education but he was alot smarter than these Seahawk graduates that post here...as a local now how do you feel about how your tax dollars are being used to support these state-controlled public schools that produce moronic idiots that cant think...you probabably are a Gary Williams fan at Maryland...same guy that committed fraud at Ohio State...again your tax dollars at work
Posted by: columbus | January 10, 2009 at 01:35 AM
Columbus, I don't have to teach this young man to read or write, if he has qualified for USNA he probably reads and writes better than either of us. Navy has only one set of admission requirements. Nobody goes to Navy looking to "go pro." Having worked at the academy I can tell you,this young man will be tested like never before in his life. If he doesn't meet "fit rep", he'll be home in short order...Yes I am a Gary Williams fan (that's my alma mater). I like Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant and Bobby Knight, too. I'm sure you can find something wrong with each of them. But, they're not my role models, my heros. They just play/coach sports. If Matt Smith can make the grade at Navy, and serve our country, then he is my hero. I don't want to get into the local MB-Conway mudsling that appears on this board. But,Columbus,you can take your swipes at me,I am an old guy with my best years behind me. Let's not rain on the parade of the young man who is at the threshold of his dreams. Whether he's from MB or Conway, if his dream comes true then he will be an American hero.
Posted by: Teddyterp | January 10, 2009 at 04:19 AM
i wish Matt Smith well Teddyterp...if you would have read my post you would have clearly seen i was speaking of the illiterate posts from those connected to the Seahawk program on here...only the best to Mr.Smith...and as far as the people you like let me just say three out of four are not bad...to my knowledge Bob Knight has never been accussed of committing a felony...the other three should have done time...just my opinion and good luck to you
Posted by: columbus | January 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM
you know i don't know what all this bull crap is on is comment board but i thank a person or persons need to get there head on straight b-c i can tell you by experience matt is a darn good kid he has came up in the world from just his early teenage years to now so if you got a problem with him then why don't you go meet that big boy face to face an see how chicken you are b-c i have!! peace out
Posted by: give me some | January 10, 2009 at 08:55 PM
LOVE YA MATT
Posted by: give me some | January 10, 2009 at 08:57 PM
SHOW THESE IDIOTS WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF!!!! HAVE A GOOD ONE IN THE NAVY!! I'LL MISS YOU!!!
Posted by: give me some | January 10, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Hey, Matt don't forget-BEAT ARMY
Posted by: Teddyterp | January 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Just know that you can do it and it will be a good experience, it will be hard but it will make you a better person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hi | January 16, 2009 at 09:40 PM
congrats Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a friend who goes to West Point (and for anyone who does not know, West Point is the Naval Academy's biggest rival) so try not to be too hard on the football team. and by the way anybody who thinks the Naval Academy is a joke, it is no joke and it is an honor to even be consideded by the recruiting board. This is no joke. Matt, just remember HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT and I will be attending the Army/Navy game with my friend so I look foward to watching you play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way great job this year at myrtle beach and the north south game!
Posted by: hi | January 16, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Oh and "give me some" it is not beat army, it is beat Navy where i come from!
Posted by: hi | January 16, 2009 at 09:47 PM
and anyone who says that he will me home in a short time (columbus) well i don't think he will, this is a good kid and is capable of a lot more than you seem to think. don't under estimate anyone you don't know. And "columbus" he will meet "fit rep" i am sure, and this is a great choice for him and anyone who thinks it is not is a freakin idiot and i mean that!
Posted by: hi | January 16, 2009 at 09:51 PM
love ya matt and hope to see you when you come home at thanksgiving and christmas around the city!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hi | January 16, 2009 at 09:53 PM