Interview: 3-Star 2019 Burbank TE Duncan Smith Talks Cal-Davis Verbal Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is a movement afoot on the recruiting trail, and that is very talented players not being overwhelmed by offers from top Division I college football programs. The oft repeated but not always followed through sentiment of finding a place with good academics, opportunities to play early, and a home feel is actually being sought out by some, and one of the more recent, and bigger, recruits to follow his own path to the next level is three-star Class of 2019 tight end/defensive end Duncan Smith.
As far as receiving tight ends go, Smith is among the top tier in his peer group. At 6-4, 240 pounds, he is a big target with good hands who is hard to bring down. During his junior campaign, he hauled in 55 passes for 774 yards with 11 trips into the end zone. When flipping the field, he accounted for 60 stops, 16 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, batted down two passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered one in 13 games played.
Through four games into his senior season, Smith is on a tear bumping his per reception average up from 14 yards to 19 while averaging a score a game. His 12 receptions for 227 yards with four scores, which are all team-highs for Burbank High School (2-2), are all the more impressive with 11 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a sack, a QB hurry, a forced fumble, and a pass batted down on the resume; and that is with opposing offense going the other way.
As Duncan impressed all on the field, college coaches started extending offers. Before his commitment to rising FCS program California-Davis on Sept. 18, Duncan had offers from San Jose State, Howard, Northern Arizona, New Mexico, UNLV, and San Diego State on the table.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the three-star talent to learn more about how the Aggies won him over and how the commitment took place with a quick update on his senior season.
Interview
Duncan, congratulations on your commitment to Cal-Davis.
“Thank you.”
Before we talk about your senior year on the field, how did the relationship with you and the Cal-Davis go from interest, to offer, and then to a commitment?
“They were the first school to contact me. In early April, I went to their Junior Day and they offered me then. From there, they kept the relationship going.”
When did you commit?
“I told their staff two weeks ago but put it on Twitter on Tuesday.”
Who did you commit to and what was their reaction?
“They were in a meeting when I called. They put me on a speaker phone and that is when I committed. They started yelling, and then I got text messages from the whole staff congratulating me.”
That had to make you feel good.
“Yes, sir.”
The moment right before you made that call, what was going through your mind and what were you feeling?
“I was deciding between a few schools, and I was not sure if I should wait. I went up there twice, and each time I really liked it. I like every coach on the staff. After talking to my coach and my mom, they both liked Davis the most and I did too. It worked out.”
Which position did they recruit you to play?
“Tight end.”
How do they plan to use you within their scheme?
“They have a good tight end there now, he is a junior. I will play behind him for a year and compete for a starting spot my sophomore year.”
Switching to your play on the field. With the Bulldogs, how is your senior season going so far?
“Everything is going alright. We have started the season 2-2, and we have a big game this week (Arcadia). I think that will decide how the season goes.”
Are you a great weapon in the passing game, what all do you do well as a receiving target?
“I think I run good routes. I have good speed and I have been working on catching a lot.”
What do you do well as a blocker?
“I am physical and I am good at blocking in space.”
Not to sell your defensive skills short because you do get after it on that side of the ball, how is the season going as a defender for you and what all are you doing well?
“I thinking I am good at pass rushing and batting balls down.”
You guys picked up a big win over Hoover (44-26) last Friday, how did the game go for you?
“I only played over a quarter on offense and just one half on defense because of the big score.”
As mentioned, the Bulldogs get a tough team in Arcadia this Friday, what kind of game are you expecting from the Apaches?
“I am expecting a hard-fought game. We watched their film, they have some athletes.”
Duncan, congratulations, again, on your commitment and good luck against Arcadia.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: LA Times: No. 9 Duncan Smith stiff-arms Monrovia; Duncan Smith sack