10 Takeaways from Jonathan Smith's NSD Press Conference
What did we learn from Jonathan Smith's early National Signing Day press conference? BeaversEdge.com gives 10 takeaways in the article below!
1. Local recruiting is very important. As Smith mentioned in his introductory press conference, Oregon State will focus on the Pac-12 footprint in recruiting, starting with Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. California will also continue to be very important for the Beavers.
"Obviously, we're going to go anywhere with players that we think fit this place, but it's important for us to know and identify local kids," Smith said. "I think we've started doing a good job of that."
2. The final number for the 2018 class is looking like it'll end up being right around 22. Smith had many things to juggle when he got the OSU job, including hiring a coaching staff and getting to know the current players, in just a couple of weeks. Smith focused first on locking up the current commits, which he did by signing the 11 on National Signing Day. Cameron Thomas and Anthony Spurlock decommitted from OSU this week, but those were mutually beneficial decisions.
"We're probably going to sign around [11] come February, give or take one or two. ... We weren't just going to just try and fill the whole class on this first signing day," explained Smith. "There's still a bunch of players available in January, and we're going to identify those guys, build relationships with those guys, and sign more in February."
3. Smith is high on Jake Dukart.
"It's great having Jake," Smith said. "He was able to come on an official visit here with us. He's well-rounded -- elite baseball player and really good football player. I know Steve Coury really, really well -- the head coach at Lake Oswego. In getting to talk to Steve and asking around the school and meeting his family, I think [Dukart] is a really good athlete and quarterback. I've watched a lot of film on him the last three weeks, and I think he's a really good fit for our place."
WATCH: OSU coaches break down early signees
4. Keeping Ryan Nall is a priority for Smith. There are rumors that Nall could bolt for Stanford or could even declare for the NFL Draft. At this point, it seems more likely that he'd play for another school rather than declare, if he is to leave OSU. Smith wants to keep Nall in Corvallis.
"I've had multiple conversations with Ryan," Smith said. "He's weighing some options on some different things. I don't know exactly where he is right now with it. I was able to sit down with him and his parents and explain a vision for this next year for him. He's done some great things for Oregon State for sure. It's in his court regarding making a decision."
5. Smith knows what kind of assistant coaches he wants. He just has two more spots to fill. He's hired eight coaches and can hire a ninth immediately. The tenth assistant coach cannot start working until January 9. Between the two new coaches and Mike Riley, OSU needs guys to coach running backs, tight ends, and defensive backs.
"I'm looking for elite people that can teach," Smith said. "I want to have some experience in this conference -- we [don't have it at] every position, but some guys with experience in this conference. I didn't have to had worked with them before because there are some good coaches out there. It really comes down to the ability to teach."
6. Smith won't rush the final two hires.
"We're not rushing these decisions," he said. "We have to get these things right. The right fit. We're taking our time working through that."
7. Mike Riley has great value in recruiting. Smith noted how flexible Riley is in terms of being able to coach a position on offense or defense. Also, Smith pointed out how it'll be great to have a guy like Riley with great experience to help out a first yer coach.
"I think the guy brings unbelievable value in recruiting," explained Smith. "He's respected across the country, but especially on this west coast -- all of his ties to coaches, junior college coaches, and his ability to evaluate players."
8. The Beavers will begin spring practice in April.
"Spring ball for us will be in April," said Smith. "We'll go through this winter term and get to know these guys. We'll go four weeks in April for spring ball."
9. It was important to Smith to let new defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar finish coaching at Wisconsin with their bowl game on December 30. Smith noted how he wasn't able to finish coaching at Washington for their bowl game because he needed to be in Corvallis as head coach, but he wanted to let Tibesar finish out the season.
"Allowing him to finish was important to me," Smith noted.
10. Smith was well-spoken and authentic. This was Smith's second press conference as the Beavers' head coach, and I thought he was once again very legitimate in what he had to say. He's very honest in what he says, maybe even to a fault. Most coaches wouldn't reveal how many recruits they plan to sign, but Smith did that. It's not really a big deal either way though. Point is -- Smith rocks the pressers. He's not the most polished speaker, but that's just fine because he's very authentic.