Crunch Time in the Recruitment of Colby Smith

Longtime Tennessee offensive line recruit back on open market ahead of National Signing Day

Remember when Tennessee football was the talk of the college football recruiting world? The Vols amassed the most verbal commitments from prospects during the early stages of the pandemic era, only to lose several in the late stages of the 2021 cycle. 

One of the biggest commitments during that spring run, both literally and figuratively, was that of Colby Smith.

The towering Wentworth (N.C.) Rockingham County offensive tackle prospect is listed at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds. He picked the Vols in May and stuck with the SEC East program until it went through a coaching change amid an investigation surrounding recruiting violations under Jeremy Pruitt. 

"It's just crazy, I thought I had everything set and all of this falls apart," Smith told SI All-American.

As part of his decommitment announcement on January 18, he made sure to note Tennessee as a program still under consideration going forward. Clemson, Auburn, North Carolina and Louisville have since been in relatively consistent contact. All but the ACC champions also have a scholarship offer on the table. 

A final decision could come some time soon between the SEC and ACC group and the program newest to the race is making an impression. Auburn offered the day after Smith went back on the open market and he said its new head coach reminds him of his high school coach Brent Baker. 

"I'm developing a pretty good relationship with Auburn now," Smith said. "I kind of like it down there, from what I've seen so far on a virtual visit and word of mouth. It's pretty cool, they've got everything you need as a student-athlete. One of the things I want to study in college is business and I think they were No. 1 in business in some aspect of 2020. 

"My strong thing is family atmosphere and it seems to me they have it strong over there." 

Of course Bryan Harsin hired offensive line coach Will Friend from Tennessee, so the obvious connection there creates comfort for Smith despite not having been to campus. 

Meanwhile Tennessee replaced Pruitt with UCF's Josh Heupel, who is building out his staff in Knoxville. In addition to the general fluidity, potential NCAA punishment stemming from the recruiting investigation puts a tint on the possibilities of Smith ending up in the SEC East after all. 

The new staff has yet to contact the senior as of Thursday afternoon.

"I've since looked at many options, UNC, Louisville and Auburn now," he said. "UNC, I keep going back and forth on that. I was giving Louisville a hard look and then their offensive line coach went to the Atlanta Falcons.

"I have a chance to get an offer from Clemson. That would definitely mix things up."

National Signing Day, the first day this year in which class of 2021 prospects can make college plans official with a National Letter of Intent, is February 3. One of the nation's top available trench talents isn't locked in on ending the process on that day although it remains a possibility.  

"I'm taking things one day at a time, trying to be patient with it," Smith said. "I'm just trying to make sure I make the right decision. 

"Everything happens for a reason."

Courtesy of Colby Smith

More from SI All-American

The latest on the top uncommitted recruits in America

Caleb Williams Signs off of 'All on the Line' Blog

GOAT Recruiting Class Conversation Begins with 2017 Alabama

2020 SI All-American Team Offense | Defense

2020 SI All-American Second Team Offense | Defense

--

Follow SI All-American's college football and basketball recruiting coverage here on SIAllAmerican.com as well as on social media, @SIAllAmerican on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and now on YouTube.