Tider Insider's
|
|
POST-SIGNING INTERVIEW
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Kenny Smith saga in Meridian was the big story in southern football recruiting this year. Kenny decided late in the process that he wanted to go to Florida. But his father was dead-set on Kenny's going to Georgia Tech. On national signing day, Kenny's father wouldn't sign for Kenny to go to Florida, and Kenny wouldn't sign with Georgia Tech. The stalemate lasted for two weeks. Enter Kenny's mom who returned to Meridian after an extended visit to California. She wanted Kenny to stay close to home, and Kenny wanted her to see him play every Saturday. So the choice became clear -- Alabama. Kenny signed on February 20. We spoke with him on February 26. |
|
| TI | Kenny, Alabama fans are a very proud group. They are thrilled with your decision, but they seem a little concerned about Alabama's being your second choice. Can you set the record straight? |
| KS | Oh, I'm very glad to be going to Alabama. I committed to Alabama first. Then things happened and I started thinking about Florida pretty hard. The thing about Florida is that they had just won the national championship. That kind of made an impression on me. Here's the team that wins the national championship and they're telling me I can come in and play. That caught my attention for a while. But Alabama's definitely not a second choice. Alabama's a great program and they've been on my agenda for a long time. I'm looking forward to playing for Alabama. |
| TI | One of your HS teammates, Kenyatta Walker, an offensive lineman, signed with Florida. Have the both of you talked about the possibility of facing each other in the future? |
| KS | We're already thinking about that a little. Kenyatta is a very good player. Let's just say that if we ever go against each other, it will be a pretty good battle. |
| TI | You mentioned to us once during the recruiting process that you and Santana Stennis really wanted to go to the same school. Are you glad he'll be going with you to Alabama? |
| KS | It's good to have a friend who I've played with for so long to be going over there with me. We are both happy about it. |
| TI | Can you give Alabama fans an idea of what type of player you are? |
| KS | I'm always into the game. I'm a very hyped up type of player. I'm a good pass rusher and I run to the ball very well. Right now, I'm 6'5, 298. For my size, I move very well. |
| TI | What are your expectations for next season? |
| KS | The coaches haven't promised me anything. They just said I'll get a good chance to play. I'm looking to play a lot. I hope to get in a few plays in the first game and show what I can do. Then as the season goes on, I think I'll get more playing time. |
| TI | What are you doing to prepare for next season? |
| KS | Right now I'm playing baseball and watching what I eat. After baseball, I'm going to work a lot on conditioning. I want to stay in good shape so I'll be ready next year. |
| TI | We know you wore number 81 in high school. What number do you plan to wear at Alabama? |
| KS | That's an interesting question. When I went to Alabama on my visit, I went into the locker room and they had my helmet and stuff set up in a locker. I asked them if I could take the helmet to the restroom and try it on. I just wanted to see what it would feel like. When I put it on and looked in the mirror, I said to myself, "This is it. This is the place for me." I mean it was a perfect fit. I just liked the way it looked. As far as what number I'll wear, it looks like I'm going to be 92. |
|
|
|
| Home / Recap Contents / Open Forum | |
| Copyright 1997. Tider Insider. All Rights Reserved. | |