Georgia Tech and Louisville visits upcoming for 2025 Alabama DE Caleb Smith
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Crashing down, sealing the edge, and rushing the passer, defensive end Caleb Smith (6-5, 245) can do it all. The big man is a presence on the line for Birmingham’s (Ala.) Parker High School forcing teams to account for him on each snap with most opting to head the other way. Six offers have been dropped with interest coming in from SEC and ACC programs after a whirlwind college camp circuit.
The Thundering Herd will use their rising star all over the field throughout the upcoming season.
“You will see me at defensive end or inside at tackle, and at tight end in some packages,” Smith said.
The focus for Smith is being that twitchy-nasty lineman in the defensive trenches.
“This offseason I have been working with my trainer at Step by Step on my pass rush moves, my ball get off, and bag drills in general,” Smith stated.
Appalachian State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Tulane, and West Virginia have dropped offers since May 1. His name is rising on boards after summer camps.
“I went to LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Florida State, Louisville, and South Carolina camps,” Smith said.
Smith added, “My best performance was either at Mississippi State, LSU, Louisville, or Georgia. I did well in the drills at all four camps, during the one-on-ones, and showed my competitive play. They liked how I moved and competed there.”
Caleb Smith at Louisville with coach Mark Hagen.
Camp performances with the Seminoles and Gamecocks will bring representatives from both programs to Birmingham this fall.
“Right now, I am working with Florida State and South Carolina; those are the two working with me,” Smith shared. “I went to their camps, they said they like what they see and will come see me this fall. There may be more watching that have not contacted me.”
Two ACC visits are on the schedule before preseason practices get going.
“I have Georgia Tech on July 26 and Louisville on July 28,” Smith stated.
The Yellow Jackets hold a special place with Smith.
“I am excited to be with them,” Smith said. “They were the first team to offer me. I have a strong relationship with them and their defensive line coach, coach (Marco) Coleman. I have been on the phone with him this week talking to him.”
The time in Louisville will help bond player with coaches.
“I’ve been up there too,” Smith shared. “I hung out and talked to their coaches after a camp. We will have another little hang out and get the relationship up more.”
More time will be spent in ACC country once the 2023 college football season gets going.
“Louisville, Florida State, and Georgia Tech, those are my three game-days I am looking forward to this season,” Smith stated.
Smith is in contact with multiple coaches in Tallahassee.
“I have a good relationship with Florida State,” Smith said. “I have been talking to their head coach, coach Mike Norvell, their quarterback coach, coach (Tony) Tokarz, and their defensive line coach, coach (John) Papuchis. All of them have been watching me from last year. I talked to them from their camp.”