Spotlight: Tyrell Hubbard-Smith
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Lakewood (Fla.) cornerback Tyrell Hubbard-Smith is hungry.
He stands at 5-foot-9, 177-pounds, but on the field he plays much bigger than that. Hubbard-Smith is a student of the game of football and is a young man who studies film of other football players at his position.
He watched 2014 Lakewood standouts such as Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), Andrew Davis (Toledo), and Brujoun Bonner (Memphis) have big recruitment processes. His close friend and teammate 2015 athlete Ryan Davis has offers from all over the country.
But now, it's Tyrell's time to shine.
Hubbard-Smith awaited for his first offer to come, and it came from Ball State last week. He recently added an offer from Temple on Thursday.
"With Ball State, coach Gaither had gotten in contact with my head coach informing him he was going to offer me later on that day at practice and he did," he said. "Temple was basically the same. Coach Cooper called and informed (Lakewood head coach) Moore that he was offering me."
Hubbard-Smith is already familiar with both programs that extended scholarship offers to him.
"Ball State is a great school I've watched then since Nate Davis was there. I like their defensive scheme.
"Temple is another great school - great academics and I can see myself playing in that defense."
Hubbard-Smith is looking forward to growing relationships with the two coaches that offered him.
"Coach Gaither (Ball State) is a really cool, chill laid back guy - very honest and cool to be around - high football IQ.
"Coach Cooper from Temple - we haven't talked that much considering I just got the offer. I look forward to building that bond with him, but he seems like a pretty cool down to earth coach."
Hubbard-Smith is happy to finally receive his first two offers.
"It feels great to see the hard work I've been putting in and the sacrifices I've made finally paying off. I'm grateful but I won't get complacent."
Lakewood reached the state 5A semifinals last year and lost in a thriller against Clay. After losing some offensive firepower, Hubbard-Smith believes the Spartans can still have a big year in 2014.
"We'll be just fine. Our 2's got some quality reps last year so they'll hit the ground running this year - they're hungry!"