FERRIDAY, La. – After a stellar career as a fullback and linebacker at Ferriday High School, it wasn’t a question of whether Stan Smith would play college football – it was where.

That question was answered this week when Smith committed to Louisiana Tech in Ruston.

&uot;It’s a good school,&uot; Smith said. &uot;The team is like a family. I like that atmosphere.&uot;

Smith visited the school last weekend with his family, Albert and Yvonne Garrison. &uot;They were excited,&uot; he said. &uot;They enjoyed the visit. They told me it was my decision and they were with me however I decided.&uot;

The trip was his first official college recruiting visit, and his first time to visit Louisiana Tech. However, as one of the most recruited players in the area, Smith has taken unofficial visits to Tulane, Southern Miss, Auburn and LSU – the latter school being one of his first choices, especially with Ferriday native and Smith’s cousin Jeremy Lawrence starting at linebacker for the Tigers.

&uot;He’s already started in on me,&uot; Smith said of Lawrence. &uot;We worked out this week in Vidalia and we were neck and neck.&uot;

But LSU didn’t offer two things that were important to Smith – the small-town atmosphere to which he is accustomed, and the chance to play as a true freshman.

&uot;I didn’t want to go to a big city,&uot; he said. &uot;Plus, I want to start. I can see myself playing, especially if I work hard in the fall in the two-a-day (practices.) They’re really not that deep at linebacker.&uot;

If hard work is all that’s required to make the starting line-up, Smith’s fans can sign up for season tickets right now, according to Smith’s coach at Ferriday, James McFarland.

&uot;Stanley has worked for everything he’s accomplished,&uot; he said. &uot;I know he’ll be an asset to Tech’s team.

&uot;Stanley’s a great kid,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve always stressed being a good person and a good student before being a good football player. He’s all of those.&uot;