For Merritt Island (Fla.) senior Nick Smith, the combination family proximity coupled with an unsettled quarterback situation was enough to get the 6-foot-4 signal caller to commit to the University of Wyoming Monday evening.
"I saw Wyoming as the chance to develop as a quarterback," Smith said. "It is a great set-up, has great facilities and I have relatives close by."
Smith said he has grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in northern Colorado, including his grandfather, Bob Stransky, who played for the University of Colorado, as well as the Denver Broncos. He said he also has a cousin who has walked on for the Colorado State Rams, Callin Hecker.
"My grandfather was excited when he found out I would be close I would be," Smith said. "People here don't know where Laramie is. I knew no matter where I went to college, I would be traveling and it would either be a long way in a plane or a long way in a car. Having family close to Wyoming has really made it easier to decide."
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback held scholarship offers from Buffalo, Florida International, as well as Marshall before deciding on Wyoming. Last season he threw for 1,677 yards and rushed for another 679, while accounting for 24 total touchdowns. As a junior Smith said he ran an offense that passed the ball between eight and 10 times per game. Last year his high school offense switched to a spread, shotgun offensive set. He said he visited Laramie last weekend and liked what he saw from the coaches and the facilities. He said Coach Craig Bohl's staff told him they felt his skills and understanding of the game will help him transition to the college game easier than some.
The fact the Wyoming football team has also seen the top two quarterbacks from the 2013 depth chart leave the program over the last three months, also made a difference in his decision.
"As a quarterback it is hard to find a place where you have the chance to play right away and that attracts me," Smith said. "I have a great chance to be a starter soon and I'll do anything I can to try to take that position and lead this team to championships."
Nick Smith
"I saw Wyoming as the chance to develop as a quarterback," Smith said. "It is a great set-up, has great facilities and I have relatives close by."
Smith said he has grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in northern Colorado, including his grandfather, Bob Stransky, who played for the University of Colorado, as well as the Denver Broncos. He said he also has a cousin who has walked on for the Colorado State Rams, Callin Hecker.
"My grandfather was excited when he found out I would be close I would be," Smith said. "People here don't know where Laramie is. I knew no matter where I went to college, I would be traveling and it would either be a long way in a plane or a long way in a car. Having family close to Wyoming has really made it easier to decide."
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback held scholarship offers from Buffalo, Florida International, as well as Marshall before deciding on Wyoming. Last season he threw for 1,677 yards and rushed for another 679, while accounting for 24 total touchdowns. As a junior Smith said he ran an offense that passed the ball between eight and 10 times per game. Last year his high school offense switched to a spread, shotgun offensive set. He said he visited Laramie last weekend and liked what he saw from the coaches and the facilities. He said Coach Craig Bohl's staff told him they felt his skills and understanding of the game will help him transition to the college game easier than some.
The fact the Wyoming football team has also seen the top two quarterbacks from the 2013 depth chart leave the program over the last three months, also made a difference in his decision.
"As a quarterback it is hard to find a place where you have the chance to play right away and that attracts me," Smith said. "I have a great chance to be a starter soon and I'll do anything I can to try to take that position and lead this team to championships."
Nick Smith
