ANOTHER NITRO SMITH GETS DIVISION I GRANT

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 01/19/1994
Page: P1B
Headline: ANOTHER NITRO SMITH GETS DIVISION I GRANT
Byline: TOM ALUISE

They should make a movie about Nitro High School's linemen:
"Mr. Smith Goes to Division I.'
Two years ago, Wildcats' standout offensive guard Brian Smith
signed with Ohio State. Now, another Smith from Nitro is headed to
the major college ranks.
Offensive tackle Sam Smith said Tuesday he's verbally committed
to Tulane University in New Orleans. The 6-5, 275-pound senior will
make it official on Feb. 2, national signing day.
Smith, a first-team, Class AAA all-stater, visited Tulane last
weekend. He was recruited by Green Wave assistant coach Bob Pruett,
a former Marshall assistant and Beckley native.
Smith said he canceled a scheduled visit to Marshall this week
. Virginia Tech also was interested.
Smith, a 3.5 student, who plans to major in physical therapy,
said he liked the academics and facilities Tulane offered.
And that was even before he saw the Green Wave's home field _
the 71,000-seat Louisiana Superdome.
"It's very impressive,' Smith said of the site of the Sugar
Bowl. "I had already committed before I saw it. But it was nice.'
Smith met with several Tulane professors during his visit.
"The faculty really seemed to care about the program,' said
Smith, who also enjoyed New Orleans' balmy temperatures.
"It was about 60 degrees when I went down and people were
complaining about how cold it was,' he said.
Tulane, a football independent, has compiled back-to-back losing
seasons under two-year coach Buddy Teevens. Last season's schedule
featured games at Alabama, Boston College and LSU. North Carolina
visited the Superdome.
Smith said the program was on its way up.
"I think they'll do a lot better,' he said. "Everyone is
real excited and there's a lot of energy. It's on the rise for sure
.'
Smith expects to be red-shirted next year and eventually settle
into an offensive tackle spot.
"They'll give me a year to mature and get bigger,' he said.
Smith started his sophomore season at Nitro, joining Brian Smith
_ Ohio State's backup center this season as a 6-7, 295-pound,
red-shirt freshman _ on the Wildcats' offensive line. Knee surgery
kept Sam Smith out his junior year. He said the knee is 100 percent
Smith is the fifth West Virginia prep player this season to
verbally commit to a Division I school. The others are Parkersburg
receiver Brad Johnson to Penn State; Marsh Fork lineman Mark Workman
to West Virginia University; Mount View receiver Jerrald Long to WVU
and Jefferson lineman Derrick Smith to Virginia Tech.