Bulls land big DE Smith from Georgia to bolster the DL

South Florida's new defensive line coach Kevin Patrick and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando's relationship with Dogherty HS (Ga.) three-star defensive lineman Stantavious Smith played a big role in flipping the talented defender from FAU to USF. Smith spent the weekend in Tampa with the new staff and new Bulls head coach Alex Golesh and that really made the difference when it came down to making a decision.

"I committed mainly because of coach KP & coach Orlando but coach Golesh is that guy that built up Tennesse. I believe in him and his staff and that they are going to change USF around," Smith told Bulls Insider.

Smith can play all over the defensive line, but he projects to be a defensive tackle eventually.

"I’m a defensive lineman I’m playing everything on the DL, but mainly I'll be a 3-technique (defensive tackle)," he said.

Smith said he was blown away by every part of his official visit to Tampa and that made him comfortable making the decision to commit.

Everything stood out," he said of the visit.

Meeting and spending time with coach Golesh was a priority as well and the Bulls staff were very excited when he let them know he was on board.

"Everyone was very excited just happy that I’m a part of the family," he said. "Coach Golesh is a great guy. He has lots of energy love his mentality in what he is trying to build."

Smith is the second defensive line commitment of the weekend and second overall for the Bulls 2023 class.