Smith excited to be a Red Raider

Odessa Permian three-star defensive back Desmon Smith committed to the Red Raiders less than a month ago. Orchestrating the charge to land Smith's talents was former defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis. The news that Coach Curtis was no longer going to be coaching at Texas Tech took the recruit by surprise but after hosting several coaches for in-home visits and receiving multiple calls from defensive coordinator David Gibbs, Smith is solid to Tech and is excited to become a Red Raider.

Smith finished his senior season at Permian with 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, and four interceptions and played a big part in a secondary that limited opponents to only 110 yards passing per game.

Great home visit from Tech today #WreckEmWednesday #GunsUp 🔴⚫️🔫 pic.twitter.com/wkZTWnqHf3- des. (@des_smith24) December 3, 2015

WHAT'S NEXT?:

Smith hosted coaches Mike Jinks and Matt Brock for an in-home visit last Wednesday and will receive another visit from both Coach Kingsbury and Coach Gibbs on Thursday. Smith has no other visits planned from any other schools, but plans to be in Lubbock for his official visit on the 22nd of January when all the other 2016 defensive recruits will also be in town. The 6-foot-3 defender is already in full off season mode and is working to get faster, stronger, and more agile over the next few months with the goal of hoping to be 205-pounds by the time he steps foot on campus. Smith is also looking to continue growing closer with his fellow recruiting classmates and speaks with DaMarcus Fields and Jack Anderson regularly.

IN HIS WORDS:

"It was definitely something to adapt to because I had a strong relationship with Coach Curtis, but I didn't commit to a coach, I committed to a program as a whole. The program isn't going anywhere, but with coaches there is no telling what could happen. Coach Curtis is a great coach, he coached me every summer for the past three years. He is a great guy, but I'm just ready to come in and be a Red Raider no matter the coach."

OUR REACTION:

Smith is exactly the type of cornerback that Coach Gibbs wants in his secondary: long, athletic, and able to cover the big bodied receivers making hay throughout the Big 12. His solidarity and comfort with the direction of the program is a great sign for the Red Raiders. - Will McKay