Jesuit’s Smith Chooses Georgia Tech

Posted Jan 20, 2008 by Katherine Smith

Updated Jan 20, 2008 at 10:38 AM

One look was all it took for Jesuit offensive lineman Phil Smith.

Smith committed to Georgia Tech Sunday morning after spending the weekend on the school’s campus. Smith received a scholarship offer from Penn State last week, but ultimately decided against a visit there because he was sold on Georgia Tech. He informed the Yellow Jackets coaching staff shortly before boarding a flight back to Tampa.

“I really got a great sense of how close the team is,” Smith said. “It’s a family atmosphere and I liked that.”

The new coaching staff at Georgia Tech made Smith a priority. He was the first offensive lineman to receive a scholarship offer.

“They seem really committed to running the ball and I think that’s how you win football games,” Smith said of the offensive scheme. “The tackles in their system have to be quick enough to take on safeties and use their speed and I think that’s one of my strengths.”