8/5/2023 football Edit

2025 Spring, Tex. ATH Joesph Smith commits to ASU

Hod Rabino • ASUDevils

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@DevilsDigest

Longest tenured beat writer for Arizona State football and basketball, and a Website Publisher since 2001.

The Lone Star State player is the first to pledge to the Sun Devils since joining the Big 12

Ever since head coach Kenny Dillingham began his reign in Tempe, the Sun Devils have been recruiting the state of Texas in impressive fashion. After yesterday's announcement that they will be joining the Big 12 conference in 2024, it only stood to reason that their recruiting efforts in the Lone Star State would only intensify and result in even more success. And just on cue, on Saturday afternoon Spring, Tex. Legacy the school of sport sciences athlete Joseph Smith commits to the Sun Devils.

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"They (ASU) was the only school that showed me that they really wanted me," Smith said. "(Cornerbacks) Coach Carrington is a good coach, and he's from the same side of town that I'm from. He can relate to my background and what I've been through. He was always keeping up with me and seeing how I'm doing. I didn't expect to commit this early, but after I talked to coach Carrington, my mom, and my high school coaches, we all thought it would be good to commit now, so I did it.

"I like that they are in the Big 12 because my family won't be too far and come check me out. I didn't visit Arizona State, but I plan to be there on September 9 when they play Oklahoma State. When I saw that (online) tour, I liked the school. (ASU safety) Xavion Alford is my cousin, told me that with the environment and the people there, it is the place to be."

In his sophomore year for the Titans, Smith recorded 78 tackles, 13 passes defended, and seven interceptions; two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He was also a special Team standout, scoring on two punt returns and one kickoff return.

"He likes my game because I'm a head hunter," Smith described. "That's my mindset when I get on the field. When I'm on the field, you can guarantee that there's at least one player that is always going 100 miles per hour. But I know I get faster and stronger.

Smith had more than a handful of power five offers from the likes of Houston, Kansas, Purdue, Utah (who he was previously committed to), and Washington State.

Smith is the second commitment for ASU in the 2025 class and is preceded by four-star quarterback Michael Tollefson.

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