A Sea Of Red

Canon Smith
6' 4" 245 lbs Tight End
Birmingham (AL) Briarwood Christian HS


ESPN Insiders profile - Grade: 73

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Scout.com wrote:2-Star tight end Canon Smith sealed the deal this week committing to Liberty. Smith, who had offers from Samford and South Alabama, said he likes Liberty's faith-based environment. Smith also mentioned his excitement in working with former Seattle Seahawks strength and conditioning coach. Catch all the details on the Briarwood Christian High School senior's big decision right here on ScoutTV.

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Here's one of the kids KD19 referenced in the other thread and he is right from tennisfan's backyard.

Personally I think with a name like his, I would have expected a QB. But we'll take him!

This staff is already recruiting more from a national perspective than we saw from the prior staff.

Sly Fox wrote:Here's one of the kids KD19 referenced in the other thread and he is right from tennisfan's backyard.

Personally I think with a name like his, I would have expected a QB. But we'll take him!

This staff is already recruiting more from a national perspective than we saw from the prior staff.

+1
With our type of school, there is no reason we shouldn't be recruiting the whole nation.

Anywho,
Welcome to the Liberty family, Canon!

While I did not get to any of their games this year so have not seen Canon play, I wanted everyone to know he comes from a very successful program here in Birmingham. This is a 5A school that year in and year out competes statewide at a high level with an excellent, long term coach so he will come in extremely well coached. Great to see the staff recruiting successfully here in Alabama where there is a wealth of talent that lies just below Auburn and Alabama status.

Comment from Recruiting expert Tom Lemming after a pre-season camp:

Tight end Canon Smith (6-3, 248) from Briarwood Christian (Ala.): "He's got great hands and moves well in the open field. He played the line growing up so he can definitely block. He's a definite Division I player."

Indeed, 2010 was Smith's first season at tight end after playing noseguard.. "I still love getting in the trenches but I also like being a skill guy. It's pretty much the best of both worlds."

he said big news is coming in april. he hinted that liberty has an FBS invite.

Campus Pastor Charles Hughes has got a Facebook comment about LU and the WAC. I can't tell if he's serious or if he's been hitting the hard cider.

Charles Hughes' comment on Facebook:
A "feasibility study...."...now...results...by...march...have...hired...a big time.. agent....it..will..be...by...invitation only....our..name..has...come. up...being. discussed...foe..WAC...WESTERN...CONFERENCE USA...

ballah09 wrote:he said big news is coming in april. he hinted that liberty has an FBS invite.

Who said this?

Jkill617 wrote:

ballah09 wrote:he said big news is coming in april. he hinted that liberty has an FBS invite.

Who said this?

Canon Smith on Scout.tv. If you don't have premium then you can't see it.

Rumors, Rumors, Rumors...

You all know my position but if it's meant to be, let's go get it!

Will someone who has access to watch the video, quote word for word what Canon said regarding the big news and FBS?

BuryYourDuke wrote:I feel like it's all really happening. Coach Gill is bringing in so much talent from all over the place in such little time. I was wondering how, but maybe Canon just let the secret out. We are announcing our move, and we are recruiting based on our imminent rise to FBS. Still speculating, but it's hard not to

Way to get us more off topic!

First it was the JC Transfer now this feller. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out

On a personal note, thank you to the guys on here who keep us in the loop as far as recruiting. You guys do an awesome job.

jcmanson wrote:Will someone who has access to watch the video, quote word for word what Canon said regarding the big news and FBS?

not exact words....

reporter "why liberty?"
canon ".....and they are going to announce BIG news in April. I'm looking forward to be part of it."
reporter "can you give us a hint?"
canon "um they are currently d1 but they are moving up"
reporter "that's exciting"


isn't the fbs study supposed to end in march/april?

A study saying we are ready to move up to FBS is different then being invited to join an FBS conference

Back on topic, Another awesome land for the coaches. This class is looking very solid. Looks like even the hint os FBS is paying dividends, especially with the high level Christian athlete.

ballah09 wrote:

jcmanson wrote:Will someone who has access to watch the video, quote word for word what Canon said regarding the big news and FBS?

not exact words....

reporter "why liberty?"
canon ".....and they are going to announce BIG news in April. I'm looking forward to be part of it."
reporter "can you give us a hint?"
canon "um they are currently d1 but they are moving up"
reporter "that's exciting"


isn't the fbs study supposed to end in march/april?

I think he said they are currently D1 but they "might" be moving up. To me, the coaches might be selling the fact that the feasibility study will be done and Liberty will announce they're intentions of joining an FBS conference. I hope it's more, but I'm skeptical.

Anyway, to stay back on topic, the kid seems excited to have a chance to play at LU and it sounds like the facilities and money being spent on the program was a huge draw. He also mentioned that he likes the Christian environment. Once LU is FBS it'll be interesting to see if they get kids like this all around the country.

Looks like a great commit, can't wait to see the full list on Wednesday.

TE was a pretty big need with Tommy graduating so this is a very nice pickup

I actually didn't know about this kid. I do know the school though. A 5A Christian School who produces some great talent. Auburns QB went to BCA.

The more I think about it, I'm sure this "big news" is just us announcing the results of our feasibility study.

Love the name! This one ought to make Medic happy!

Article in the Bham News this morning:

Briarwood Christian's Canon Smith said the new Liberty coaching staff, led by head coach Turner Gill, was a key in his decision to commit to play football for the Lynchburg, Va., school.

"They are Christian men," he said. "Coach (Gill) has been phenomenal. I got to sit down and talk with him. I look forward to working with him. He's terrific."

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end was also fond of tight ends coach Aaron Stamn. "He's a great guy and is pretty laid back," he said. "He communicates well with me."

Speaking of communication, Smith has his eye on that field of study.

"They have their own TV station there," Smith said. "I want to go into sports broadcasting and they can really help me out there."

Liberty is in the process of moving to Division I-A after years in I-AA.

"They're negotiating conferences and they'll announce that in April," Smith said. "They want to build a tradition there.

The Lions tight end said he chose the Flames over offers he received from South Alabama, Samford and some Division II schools.

Smith decided on Liberty on Thursday. A day later he was on his way to Austin, Texas, for the 2012 International Bowl.

The Briarwood senior will wear No. 85 for Team USA as it takes on an International Federation of American Football team of premier players age 19-younger from outside the United States.

The game will be televised at 5 p.m. Central on the CBS Sports Network.

Certainly sounds like a bit more than a feasibility study. Interesting, I wonder how many conferences are in talks with LU.

LOI is in.

for those who are interested, he's playing in the international bowl today. on CSTV (or cbssportsnetork) @5 pm.