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Cats eyeing 2 QBs from 2011 class | KentuckySports.com

Smith's recruitment should heat up over the next couple of years, particularly in Kentucky. Smith's mother, Daytonya Ward, said her son and entire family are Louisville fans, and the U of L coaching staff has identified Smith as a program-changing recruit.

"They're telling him that he's the player who can really get things turned around in a positive direction for them, and they think he's the kind of guy who can bring other players along with him," Ward said.

But Ward said UK has made a positive impression. In addition to attending the Score 6 Camp, Smith visited Lexington for the Western Kentucky game in September and is scheduled to be on campus again this weekend.

"They really rolled out the Big Blue carpet for us, and we loved it," Ward said. "We always had a misconception that UK fans were obnoxious, but they were great. They were just like us. They treated DaMarcus like a celebrity. Kentucky will definitely have a strong chance."

Smith has no plans to commit early; his mother said he likely will wait until his senior year. Smith enjoyed his visit to Illinois ("He got to meet Juice Williams, who's one of his favorites," Ward said) and might take a trip to UCLA.

"His dad lives in Miami and wants him to come play ball down there," Ward said. "And we've got family all over, East Coast to West Coast. He's such a nice kid and doesn't like turning anybody down. He's got so much pressure coming from so many different angles, but so far he's handling it well."