VERO BEACH – The big guy made his big decision.
Vero Beach High’s highly touted offensive lineman Micah “Big Champ” Smith announced Wednesday afternoon that he would be attending the University of Illinois.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt Vero Beach’s signing ceremony in the school’s Performing Arts Center, Smith was announced last of the four signees. He unzipped his jacket to display an Illinois shirt and a huge “Bug Champ” chain.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Smith, who originally committed to UCLA, said he made the decision with his family “about two or three weeks ago.”
Smith’s relationship with Illini coach Bret Bielema and the Illinois coaching staff went a long way in making that decision.
“Every player deserves a coach that believes in him,” Smith said. “I feel like the whole program at Illinois believes in me.”
Smith said he has visited Illinois “three or four times.” He said he likes the family type atmosphere.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“When it says “famILLy’ that means a lot to me,” Smith said.
Finally! Vero Beach football gets to party like it's 1998
Smith was not the only Vero Beach football player to commit during the NCAA football national signing period.
Efrem “E.J.” White and Jordan Crutchfield are heading to Florida State University. Xavier Stinson is going to the University of Iowa.
“Their talents and what they’ve done on and off the field speaks volumes,” Vero Beach High football coach and director of athletics Lenny Jankowski said.
It was a first for Jankowski, as his undefeated team continued preparation for Friday’s Class 7A State Semifinal against Miami Palmetto at the Citrus Bowl.
Vero Beach High's Micah "Champ" Smith is all smiles after he announces he will attend the University of Illinois during the team's signing day Wednesday at the school's Performing Arts Center.It was the first time in his 26 years as head coach, the past 15 at Vero Beach, that he got to practice after early signing day, which is the first Wednesday in December.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“In addition to these guys being incredible individual talents, they’ve been very instrumental in our team making it to the Final 4 and having the opportunity to practice today. So this is a special day in a lot of ways.”
The 6-foot-5 ½, 325-pound Smith mainly has played on the offensive line at guard. He also has made appearances on the defensive line, recording four tackles, a sack and two quarterback hurries.
The 4-star Smith is part of the Vero Beach “jumbo package’ on offense, as a running back. He is a perfect 6-for-6 toting the football with six touchdowns on six carries with a long of 5 yards.
“You don’t always get a chance to see a guy 6-6, 315 pounds do the things Champ does,” Jankowski said. “I describe him as just a big athlete, a big, big athlete.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 6-1 ½, 165-pound White is an athlete in the true sense of the word. Beginning the season as a wide receiver and defensive back, the 4-star White was thrust into the quarterback spot, a position he had not played since his freshman season. Taking over in the second quarter of the first regular season game of the season for the injured Champ Monds, White guided Vero Beach through an undefeated regular season.
After Monds returned, White resumed his role as an all-purpose player, in the backfield and at wide receiver on offense.
Vero Beach High's Efrem "E.J." White announces he will attend Florida State University during the team's signing day Wednesday at the school's Performing Arts Center.When Monds suffered a different injury in his return against Lake Nona in the regional semifinals, White returned behind center for the remainder of the game. He also guided Vero Beach to the regional title with a five-touchdown performance (4 rushing, 1 passing) against Orlando Dr. Phillips.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor the season, White accumulated gaudy numbers: 156-for-210 (74 percent) passing for 2,225 yards and 27 touchdowns, 916 rushing yards on 127 carries and 21 touchdowns (all to lead the team) and caught four passes for 87 yards, giving him 1,003 total yards. White earned the FACA District 19 Player of the Year.
“Not really,” White said when asked if he could imagine the season he has had so far his senior year. “I had to step up and step in a spot where most people can’t really strive. So it was such a blessing I could do that. It’s going to make me so much better, seeing the game differently from a different spot. It’s going to transfer and make me a better player.”
As far as sticking with the Seminoles, White said, “I haven’t been out of state, so at the beginning I was looking at some out-of-state schools. But I knew where I wanted to go. Things changed, but I put a lot of trust in them. It clicked. Florida State is the place for me.”
Vero Beach High's Xavier Stinson announces he will attend the University of Iowa during the team's signing day Wednesday at the school's Performing Arts Center.A four-year starter, a rarity in a Jankowski-run program, White has done “just about everything you can do on a football field,” the coach said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJankowski’s goal this year was for White to practice at one position “to elevate his game at the wide receiver position.” That plan went out the window on Week 1 of the regular season.
“He’s done just about everything,” Jankowski said. “But more important than his individual accolades, is he’s led our team to where we are today at 13-0.”
Vero Beach High's Efrem "E.J." White announces he will attend Florida State University during the team's signing day Wednesday at the school's Performing Arts Center.The 6-3, 200-pound Crutchfield originally committed to Kentucky before shifting to Florida State. The versatile 3-star safety notched four quarterback hurries, an interception he returned 99 yards for a score and caused a fumble this season.
“I just decided it was a better fit,” he said. “I don’t have anything against Kentucky. Things happen. FSU just became the next-best fit for me, so I decided to make that change.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlso a special teams standout, Crutchfield has 76 yards in kickoff returns. He saw time at wide receiver, specifically in the red zone, with six catches for 112 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Vero Beach High's Micah "Champ" Smith announces he will attend the University of Illinois during the team's signing day Wednesday at the school's Performing Arts Center.Crutchfield transferred from Fort Pierce Westwood to Vero Beach for his senior season.
“Just being a leader, stepping up, helping the younger guys get better at football,” Crutchfield said. “Just being a leader overall. It was a great move. It helped me prepare for the next level, skill-wise and being mentally prepared for it.”
“He’s a dominant player,” Jankowski said. “He’s got such a huge upside. Just to watch him grow, just in this season, his abilities and his talents, him figuring out how to practice and improve every day has been something for our coaches to get excited about. And obviously our team has benefited.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 6-2, 185-pound Stinson selected Iowa after originally committing to UCLA. The 3-star wide receiver/athlete ranks second on Vero Beach with 35 catches for 526 yards and 6 touchdowns.
“I liked everything,” Stinson said of Iowa. “I didn’t see any faults. It was so good.”
“One of those guys who have continued to get better and better,” Jankowski said. “Not just each and every Friday night, but every practice.”
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vero Beach football celebrates decorated class on National Signing Day
AdvertisementAdvertisement
