Petey Smith breaks down final 5
Heralded Armwood LB Petey Smith announced his five finalists today -- Auburn, Alabama, Illinois, Louisville and North Carolina. He broke down each to the Times.
Auburn: "They're really showing me the most love. They send me a lot of mail with quotes and stuff that I like. And the depth chart is looking pretty good there."
Alabama: "They came on me at the end of the spring. I talked to (coach) Nick Saban, and he told me they were hurting at linebacker. They run the 3-4, and he told me they wanted a big body in the middle."
Illinois: "It's a program on the rise, especially after beating Ohio State last year. The recruiting coach is a real down-to-earth person. I could see myself fitting into their scheme."
Louisville: "They also came in on me late, toward the end of the spring. They're hurting at linebacker, too. A lot of people committed early and they don't really have a lot of commitments. I'm at the top of their list I guess you could say. They call me all the time."
North Carolina: "Keith Newman -- he's our linebacker coach at Armwood -- he played there and he's been in my ear. Their program is on the rise. I'll probably take a trip up there next weekend."
Right now, Smith said all five schools are "even."
Early in the process, it was assumed by some Smith would land at Florida State because he is a lifelong Seminoles fan. But although FSU offered him a scholarship, Smith said the Seminoles "just didn't come after me."
As for the prospect of playing at 'Bama, arch-rival of Auburn, where his brother Eric will play running back, Smith had this to say: "The first thing Nick Saban told me was, 'Just look at it like this ... even if you come and don't play, at least you'll have a story on ESPN because everybody will be talking about it."
--KEITH NIEBUHR
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Saban actually said that? wow, just wow...
Posted by: Peter | May 30, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Saban is an idiot with a serious Napoleon complex.
Posted by: Bill B | May 30, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Well saban, let's see, Petey and Eric can play on separate teams and it be mentioned one game a year... Or they can play on the same team and be mentioned together every week. (see Kenny & David Irons - what a tandem they were.)
Posted by: Jeff | May 30, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Ppl dont hate what they're not afraid of. yall need to get over saban and worry about yourselves.
Posted by: Jamar | May 30, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Im not afraid of my roommate's girlfriend but I am pretty sure I hate her. She's obnoxious, loud, and completely full of it. I actually think my roommate may be dating saban. Anywho, your "you dont hate what you arent afraid of" logic is retarded Jamar
Posted by: Bill | May 30, 2008 at 04:39 PM
You can tell that all the ones that down grade Saban are Barners. Everything will backfire on them one of these days.
Posted by: Earnest M. Whatley | May 30, 2008 at 04:49 PM
I hope she ***** slaps your @$$ and makes you fear her.
Posted by: Phil | May 30, 2008 at 04:54 PM
saban a joke!!!!! dont listen to him!!!
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 07:57 PM
To Earnest:
What is it that will back fire on Auburn one day? Will they stop winning, is that what you're suggesting? and by "back fire" do you mean it will be their punishment for not doing things the way desperate bama does? (paying players, zero discipline?)
Posted by: Jeff | May 30, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Go L'Ville
Posted by: | May 31, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Check out where Smith ranks in Hillsborough county's top 10 ballers.
http://www.bigcountypreps.com/
Posted by: Chris Hamilton | May 31, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Saban still a great coach..
Posted by: | June 01, 2008 at 01:52 AM
I am very interested in this kid coming to Auburn, I really think it could do wonders for him. I went there and now my baby cousin is playing there and I can honestly say it opens doors, but then again so would any of these schools. It would be interesting to see this big body fitting in with the great group of inside LB's that Auburn has right now. I hope Auburn can land him. Oh guys stop fighting, show some class they are two of the best programs in the history of the sport don't make them look like jokes. Every year they will play and every year someone will lose it does not define a program or it's accomplishments
Posted by: AuburnGrad2004 | July 29, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Petey Smith will be an Auburn Tiger. After all they are showing him the most love!
Posted by: Jason | September 18, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Only someone with no chance of landing a prospect would say something so crazy.
http://happiness.zijadiamond.com/
Posted by: Jason | September 18, 2008 at 12:41 PM