DL Caleb Smith commits to Washington over Purdue

Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State were finalists, but Birmingham (Ala.) Parker defensive lineman Caleb Smith was down to Purdue and Washington and he chose the Huskies.

“It was a tough decision, and I am surprised a southern boy like me is going from Birmingham to Seattle, but Washington is the school I like the most,” Smith told On3.

Smith took official visits to Purdue and Washington. It was on his official visit last weekend that he made his decision.

“I told coach Jedd Fisch on Sunday of my official visit. He is an amazing guy, a great coach and he is a player’s coach. Coach Fisch has shown he can turn programs around, develop his players and he loves to win. I like coach Fisch as a coach, how he has produced on what he does with his players.”

Over two dozen schools offered the 6-foot-4, 250-pound three-star and Washington came in with an offer back in January. Fisch sent a couple of coaches into Parker High early in the year. That started the communication. Defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi took over as Smith’s lead recruiter and the two built a strong connection.

The trust is there. The staff made Smith a priority and one of the best in Alabama is ready to head to the Pacific Northwest.

“It is a big jump for me from Birmingham to Seattle, but I am ready,” Smith said. “It was a tough decision, but Washington showed a lot of love, I believe in coach Fisch and my official visit was amazing. On my visit, I got an in-depth look at the school, I learned about the scheme and I loved it up there.”