Dwayne Smith Names Three Visits, Two Finalists

After taking his school to the playoffs for the first time in 31 years, Dwayne Smith’s next goal is to make a final decision on where he will play college football. The 5-10, 215-pound running back from Chicago’s Hales Franciscan High School has narrowed his decision essentially to two schools.

“I’m pretty adament that I will choose Wisconsin or Northwestern,” Smith said.

Smith is taking an official visit to Northwestern Nov. 30, followed by a visit to Minnesota Dec. 7 and Wisconsin Dec. 14. The Gophers and Boston College are on the verge of offering Smith a scholarship, but he prefers his two favorites.

“They were the first to offer me,” Smith said. “In fact, Wisconsin was the first. That really boosted my confidence, to let me know that I can play in the Big Ten. I knew that I could, but that helped me out even more. I appreciated that they felt so strongly about my talent.”

The Badgers offered Smith on June 15, when he visited their summer camp, while the Wildcats extended an offer one week later at their camp.

Smith said there are a number of factors that speak highly for Wisconsin’s chances. He has several friends on the team already, including the program’s biggest player, freshman offensive tackle Carlos Harper.

“It’s always good to go to a school where you know somebody,” Smith said. “They have Carlos on a diet. He told me he’s down to 423 and by spring they want him to be at 390. It would be great to have him blocking for me.”

Smith said he has a close relationship with the Badger coaches.

“Right now, I think there are unlimited calls, but when you could only call once a week, Coach (Kevin) Cosgrove would call me every week and just talk football,” Smith said. “He asked me how my week went in football, and he would analyze (UW’s) game, and tell me what went wrong, what they need. And I’ve talked to Coach (Brian) White as well. I’m aware that almost all the backs that Coach White has coached went to the league. That’s my main goal really, so that’s a big thing. Playing for him would be great. His record speaks for itself.”

Smith said he feels very comfortable with Northwestern’s staff as well, and his decision will come down to where he feels better on his official visits. Academics will play a major role too, as Smith has begun comparing the quality of the business schools.

“I’m told Wisconsin has a really good business school,” Smith said. “I’m going to look at all that.

Smith finished his season with 1500 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, playing for a school that didn’t have a program from 1970-1995. Hales Franciscan disbanded its football program for more than a quarter of a century, before bringing it back five years ago. This season it finished 4-6, getting a playoff berth for the first time in more than three decades.

He hopes to have similar success at the college level.

“I’m quick and I have speed and move well, but I’m a power runner,” Smith said. “In the open field, I can get away and escape tackles. And another thing is, I haven’t been blessed with an awesome offensive line. It’s been a learning experience that way. I think it’s made me better. I know when I go to college, I’ll have a line that will be able to block better, and I’m excited about that.”

Smith said he will make his decision shortly after taking his three scheduled visits.