EXCLUSIVE: Mark Dantonio Lands a Star DT from Chicago in Enoch Smith, Jr. and He Talks About it!

Many times when a promising high school football prospect emerges, pundits immediately begin to compare him to other established college and pro players. But to

Many times when a promising high school football prospect emerges, pundits immediately begin to compare him to other established college and pro players. But to liken Enoch Smith Jr. to any other player would be unfair.

A defensive tackle from the south side of Chicago, Smith Jr. identifies heavily with his faith, but is a monster on the football field. Luckily for Spartan Nation, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio saw the high school junior’s talent and brought him in for a visit. During Smith Jr.’s stay in East Lansing for the Green-White game on Saturday, April 20, the class of 2014 recruit realized that he wanted to be a Spartan.

He recently joined Hondo S. Carpenter, Sr. on Spartan Nation Radio to discuss his choice of being a Spartan.

“Growing up, watching the Big Ten, I’ve always had an interest in Michigan State, and when I received the offer, it was like a dream come true,” Smith Jr. said after committing. “I’ve always had Michigan State on the back of my mind.”

Over the course of his recruiting process, Smith Jr. saw many schools show interest. Numerous well-known programs from around the country, such as Notre Dame, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, and Tennessee offered a scholarship to the exciting young recruit. Each pitched an intriguing argument, but only Michigan State offered the perfect fit for Smith Jr..

One significant factor in Smith Jr.’s decision was the honesty of the representatives of the schools that recruited him. “I felt as if some people were stretching the truth, I feel as if they were always being disgenuine,” Smith Jr. said. “But I felt that a lot as I went around on my different visits.” Smith Jr.’s future position coach, Ron Burton, was completely the opposite in talking with the young defensive tackle. “I felt as if he [Burton] was genuine with his answers,” said Smith Jr.. “I knew Coach Dantonio was genuine with his answers as well.”

Another critical factor was how the coaches handled the issue of faith. Smith Jr. is a religious young man, and identifies closely with his faith. Thus, he loved the approach that Dantonio, a religious man himself, takes on the subject. “When I sat down and spoke with Coach Dantonio, I asked him how he would incorporate the players’ church life into their football life. He said on Sundays, he gives players an opportunity to go out to church early in the morning and most of the afternoon,” Smith Jr. said. “That means a lot to me because I am a junior deacon at my church, and I help out with devotion.”

Though the talented youngster might be a man of religion off the field, he is completely different on the field. The 6’3, 265 pound product plays with a passion, rushing the quarterback like a man possessed. Recording 37 tackles and 21 sacks during his junior campaign at Mount Carmel High School, Smith Jr. dominated opposing offensive lineman last season. His performances helped the Mount Carmel Caravan capture the Illinois Class 8A state championship. All year long, Smith Jr. showed his nose for the football, as he found running backs and quarterbacks wherever they roamed.

“My friends actually came up with a nickname for me because I’m so big and I’ve always dominated on the defensive side of the ball,” said Smith Jr.. “They’ve given me the nickname ‘Megatron’ and I’ve used that from eighth grade all the way to now.”

Since the name Enoch means “devoted” or “dedicated,” it should come as no surprise that Smith Jr. has a solid work ethic. Though many might be satisfied with a monster season that ended in a championship, the defensive tackle remains hungry. “There’s always someone out there trying to be better than you,” Smith Jr. said. “Keeping that in the back of my head, [I try to] go out and work hard every day, [not] take any days off, and just give a little bit more effort.”

In the present time, Smith Jr. is staying busy by honing his skills under the guidance of a number of people. “I’m working out with my team, making sure that we go back and correct the little things, so that we can win another state championship like we did last season. I’m also working with my dad on my pass rush moves,” Smith Jr. explained. “I’m working on how to defeat the run block. And I’m working with a guy by the name of Oliver Gibson, who actually went to Notre Dame. He’s helping with me with certain defensive line stuff that he sees that I need to work on. I work out with him four or five times a week.”

In working with Gibson, who played defensive tackle in the NFL for the Steelers and Bengals, Smith Jr. is hoping to improve his hand speed, along with a couple of other aspects of his game. “He said that I seem a little robotic, but I told him that the defense we run is not designed for the defensive lineman to make the plays. We’re opening the gaps for the linebackers, then we have to flow to the ball,” Smith Jr. said. “I like the input that he’s giving me. He just wants me to be a step quicker, one step faster, at which I obviously believe I’m getting better at every day.”

MSU defensive line coach Ron Burton and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will surely be able to help Smith Jr. improve his game. As the young lineman said, each coach is phenomenal. “He’s by far one of the best defensive line coaches I’ve ever met,” Smith Jr. said of Burton. “I like his energy and his enthusiasm that he brings to the program…The first day he was on staff was when I came down there for a visit. We introduced ourselves to each other and he told me how badly he wanted me to play for Michigan State, even though that was his first day.

“He heard so much about me that he watched film that day. That meant a lot to me, because he’s already on the job and trying to get me there. I didn’t even have an offer at that point, but the next day, I received a scholarship offer. From that point [on], he’s been on me, telling me how well I could fit into the Michigan State program,” Smith Jr. said.

The MSU recruit has just as much confidence in the Spartans’ established defensive coordinator. “Coach Narduzzi is one of the best guys out there. To me, I consider him the best defensive coordinator in the nation,” Smith Jr. said. “At the collegiate level, what he’s done in the past five, six years since he’s been there, he’s always had one of the top five defenses at the college football level. That was a key component of my decision as well. I just love what he brings to the table and I can honestly see myself as a part of that defense.”

Playing with fellow Chicagoan Demetrious Cooper also holds a certain luster for Smith Jr.. The two have a close connection, and Cooper (a class of 2013 recruit) helped convince Smith Jr. to attend MSU. “Prior to me coming down to Michigan State, he was always telling me, ‘Man, you need to come down here and get aboard with Michigan State so we can play on the same line with each other,’” Smith Jr. said.

The duo should indeed be a dangerous combination in the future, as Cooper will line up next to Smith Jr. at the weakside defensive end position. “I can’t wait to play next to him on the defensive line because [with] the energy he brings, and the energy I bring, I know we can both do some destructive things on that defensive line, and we can create havoc,” stated Smith Jr..

With the talent Smith Jr. possesses, don’t be surprised if the youngster earns a starting role early on in his Spartan career. He had high aspirations and the determination required to achieve them. But nothing will come easily for the young defensive tackle. “[Narduzzi is] not guaranteeing me anything: I have to work for everything that is being placed in front of me, which I like,” Smith Jr. said of his conversation with the MSU defensive coordinator. “Some guys during the recruiting process come in and tell you all these things: ‘You can come in and start.’ He’s telling me that I have to come in and work for everything that I want to try to get. I told him, when I come in, I want to be the first defensive lineman to win the Heisman Trophy. He told me that my goals are very reachable: I just have to do what I need to do on and off the field to accomplish those goals.”

Don’t forget the name Enoch Smith Jr. This young man has all the talent in the world and will have the opportunity to do great things for the Green and White. Don’t start comparing him to anyone just yet, though: he may just prove to be one of those famous Spartans who pundits often compare new recruits to.