Star Defensive End Recruit Takes RUTS, Nation By Storm

Portland, Tenn - As RUTS season 4 kicks off tonight, college football fans, and RUTS coaches alike, are finding themselves distracted by an 18 year old high school student. Star Defensive End Thomas Smith (pronounced "Smiff") has taken the country by storm.

Smith, a senior at Portland High School, in Portland, Tennessee is the top rated defensive end in the country, so logically, he's on the radar of every college team. But, what makes his case so unique is that he was coached last season by former Portland Head Coach, and new Florida Gators Coach Gump.

Coach Gump's PHS mugshot

Gump has a great relationship with Smith. He illegally recruited him out of the mean streets of Cottontown, TN to attend Portland HS, where he immediately starred for the Panthers team. Although the team won only 1 game his first 3 seasons at the school, he set state records galore for sacks, tackles for loss, excuses to get out of running wind sprints, and back-talking his head coach.

Now, with his former coach at the helm of one of the most prolific college teams, will Smith follow Gump to Gainesville? "Don't count on it," said Smith's father, Cecil Smith, a baptist minister in Cottontown. "Tommy and Coach Gump had quite a relationship, and Tommy's play over the past 3 seasons speaks for itself. We credit Coach Gump for the huge strides that Tommy has made over the past 3 years, but he doesn't appreciate jorts or bingo wings, both of which are rampant in Gainesville. Honestly, it scares him a little bit that Coach Gump is risking his career and safety living in such a sketchy place."

That said, Cecil implied that his son will likely be recruited hard by Florida and to never count out Coach Gump. "We know he will work tirelessly to recruit Tommy, and we'll see what happens."

Smith's attributes are many, but according to Rivals, his top schools currently include:

Smith's rating (listed above) show his versatility. Obviously, being from Portland, his awareness and smarts are lacking, but what he misses out on in the cranium, he certainly makes up for in his great jumping skills, Stamina, and power moves. Coach Gump, after his last game as Head Coach at Portland credited Smith's moves for earning him a win in his final game. "DID Y'ALL SEE THOSE POWER MOVES!!??" Gump yelled to an ecstatic Portland Panther fan base after the game. "Those are the best darn power moves I have ever seen...and man, how bout those mad hops too? Tommy...you sure can jump!"

So, as the season kicks off tonight, as the ball sails through the air to launch RUTS3's 4th season, everyone, in the back of their minds will have Thomas Smith on their brains. It will be a huge recruiting battle! May the best team win.