Ready to Work: Get to Know Northwestern Class of 2022 Commit CB Evan Smith
Northwestern added a 12th athlete to their Class of 2022 when CB Evan Smith announced his commitment on July 3rd. Smith sat down with Wildcats Daily to discuss his commitment decision in this exclusive interview. You can watch the full interview at the top of this page.
When Oak Mountain (Birmingham, AL) quarterback Evan Smith received his offer to Northwestern, he was shocked. Smith received more than a dozen other offers, including Navy, Army, Duke, and more. However, deciding to become a Wildcat was easy for the Alabama native.
"I went out there for a workout," Smith said. "I got into Pat's office, and wasn't expecting it right away. But when he told me I was with my mom, and I was just at a loss for words."
Though Smith did anticipate he'd receive an offer from Chicago's Big Ten team, he was surprised at how quickly the offer arrived.
"They were telling me that [they] were going to call [me] in the next 24 hours when [I] landed in an Alabama... But I didn't know that we were going to pull the trigger that fast. I figured I would get it. But I didn't know it was going to be that soon... It was great."
When considering a college program, Smith and his parents laid out a laundry list of must-haves for potential landing spots. At the top of his list: academics, high level football, and brotherhood.
"Me and my parents sat down and went through everything that I wanted to do," Smith explained. "The first thing first was academics, because, you know, football is not going to be forever, so I need to have a backup plan. And high level football, playing in the Power Five and competing for championships. And, having a brotherhood that you can call family after football is all over with. Those are the main three checkpoints that I had in the recruiting process."
When Smith made his official visit to Evanston June 24-26, all three boxes were quickly checked.
"I knew prior to going up there how great the program was," Smith said of his official visit. "Everyone down here [in Alabama] knows how great the program is with Coach Pat, how good of a coach he is. Going up there, I did have some high expectations, which were fulfilled. I knew I wanted to be part of something special, and when I went up there, it was just that. I knew that as soon as I left that visit—that I want to go there."
Smith spoke highly of the dynamic he perceived across the entire program—between coaches, players, and other commits.
"Their coaching staff is just all linked together," Smith said. "They all love each other, they all have the same message to each other and to all the recruits... That's what the [current players] say about the coaches—they're all the same. What they preach to [recruits], they preach to [current players]. It just spoke volumes to me, and I just want to be a part of that."
In addition to meeting with coaches and NU players, Smith also met a great portion of his recruiting class on his official visit, which helped inform his decision.
"There were about eight of us," Smith shared. "It was cool to see all of them commit and they're going to be my future brothers, future teammates... That was one of the big reasons, a big part of why I committed."
As for the personality of Northwestern's Class of 2022, Smith used one word to describe it: "funny," he said while trying to hold back laughter.
An explanation of Smith's choice was deemed necessary.
"The last night of the visit, we were in the hotel," Smith divulged. "It was about 1 AM, we were just sitting in the hotel and one dude fell asleep. So, we got water and splashed it on him. I laughed for about 20-minutes straight. We splashed water on Braden Turner. I know him from Alabama, so it was pretty funny."
As for Turner's reaction, Smith said that he played it off like a pro.
"He got up and he just walked to the bathroom. Then he fell right back to sleep 10-minutes later. So, we just had to let him sleep after that."
Smith and Turner, a CB commit out of McGill Toolen (Mobile, AL), played AAU basketball together growing up. While Smith will be focusing his talents on football at the next level, the 5'9", 167-pound athlete also led the Oak Mountain basketball team to a state championship as its starting point guard. Smith averaged 8.2 points and four assists per game with 50 steals on the season his junior year.
Smith says that the skills he has gained from basketball translate well to the football field and give his style of play a unique edge.
"They are linked together with how quick you have to be and how you have to think fast," Smith explained. "Also, the agility part of it and then leadership. On a football team you have 80 guys, you have got to all lead together. On the basketball team it's just 12 guys. So, you learn different things from different sports and I just combine them together."
Smith ran for 1,719 yards on 171 carries and was 44 of 103 passing for 620 yards and six scores his junior year. The prep QB led Oak Mountain to a 7-5 record and helped the Eagles record their best season start (4-0) in program history. To wrap up the 2020 season, Smith was named to the Class 7A All-State second-team.
Though currently playing as Oak Mountain's QB, Northwestern has Smith slated to play at CB. Smith says that his history playing quarterback will help him understand how to effectively play on the other side of the ball.
"At quarterback you kind of know a little bit what the defense is doing," Smith explained. "When you go on defense, you know what the offense is doing, because you played on that side of the ball. So it's really just learning that technique for me... It certainly will be a challenge, but I know I'm a hard worker and so I feel like I can pick that up pretty easily."
Although Smith will continue at his current position at Oak Mountain, Smith is working around the clock with his trainer to begin his transformation into a cornerback.
"I train pretty much four days a week with my trainer," Smith said. "Working on speed and change in directions, which is vital for a corner. I'm going to get with a corner coach soon. So that when I come up to Evanston, I won't be too far behind and I can be ready to go."
As for adjusting to college-level play in general, Smith is confident that he can adapt soon after arriving on campus.
"The speed of the game," Smith said on the biggest challenge he'll face. "Training your body more, and just focusing a lot more on football and academics. Zoning in on what you need to do."
However, when it comes to big life changes, challenges, and moments of growth, Smith has a strong support system.
"They're my biggest fans," Smith said of his parents. "They always challenged me to do good things and keep working. Always, always, always. Always thank God, and always appreciate the ones you have around you."
"My parents always keep me motivated," he said. "That's what keeps me motivated—they worked so hard for me, and so all I want to do is give back to them."
As for what Northwestern fans can expect from Smith right off the bat, Smith said it best:
"I'm a hard worker, I'm gonna come in there and give it my all, try to bring home a championship to Northwestern. So that's the that's the big goal. I hope everyone knows that I'm coming to work."