Syracuse had a friendly feel for Laray Smith.
The Xaverian senior running back saw some familiar faces when he visited the Big East school over the weekend. Former Erasmus Hall running back Wayne Morgan and Tottenville star wide receiver Alvin Cornelius, both of whom Smith played with growing up, were his guides for the weekend.
The Orange has recruited New York City better than any school since head coach Doug Marone took over, has already landed one player in the Class of 2013, Tottenville running back Augustus Edwards, and is involved with Thomas Jefferson defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, New York State’s top prospect.
“It felt like a relief knowing someone from New York,” Smith said. “I felt comfortable there.”
He liked what he saw, praised the facilities and enjoyed getting a chance to interact with the coaching staff. He learned Syracuse’s communications program is one of the top in the country and he was impressed with its resources. Smith said he, Cornelius and Morgan talked more about his college decision in general then they did about the Syracuse program as both are incoming freshmen.
“They gave me good advice,” the Staten Island native said. “They were able to show me a good time, show me around the school.”
This was Smith’s second visit as he has also checked out UConn. His initial trip to Syracuse was cancelled when his father Lawrence fell ill and was hospitalized in early July. He hopes his next visit will be to West Virginia or Oregon, both of which have yet to offer. UConn, Syracuse and Tennessee have offered scholarships and given Smith the opportunity to also run track.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound back believes a scholarship offer from Oregon is “real close.” Smith has said along all long that it was just a matter of the coaching staff finally getting his paperwork. He got to interact with the Ducks track coaches for the first time two weeks ago after earning All-American honors by placing third in the 400 with a time of 47.67 and seventh in the 200 in 21.86 at the USATF Junior Olympics.
“All of the [football] coaches were on vacation at the time,” Smith said. “Not that they are all [back], I am pretty sure they are going to offer.”
Last year he ran for 993 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging over seven yards a carry as Xaverian reached the CHSFL Class AAA semifinals. He isn’t any closer to committing as his final season approaches.
“I’m still going to wait,” Smith said.