Bulldogs pick up new QB

Mississippi State went into the 2007 recruiting campaign hoping to sign two quarterbacks. They picked up their second commitment – both from Alabama – on Saturday when Altoona (Ala.) Susan Moore dual-threat quarterback Zach Smith opted to become a Bulldog. Smith talks about the process.

"[Last night], I talked to dad," he said. "We went to Jacksonville State to watch my brother play. We talked on the way home about things and then we talked when we got home, and I have a few friends that go to Mississippi State and they have nothing but good things to say. So I called coach Croom and told him that I was going to be coming. He was real excited and said he was happy and ready to get started."

Several other schools had been in contact with Smith prior to his decision, so after he got his offer, he called all of them to let him know the situation before he made the call.

"I did give everybody a call," he said. "Alabama and Auburn, they said the the only way was a priority walk on, and I talked to the Vanderbilt coach and he said go ahead and commit." Smith made it clear, however, that MSU was not a backup plan.

"I'm not settling for Mississippi State," he explained. "It's a great opportunity and I am excited about it. I'm not saying, 'Nobody is offering so I am going to Mississippi State.' It's not that at all. I am very excited about coach Croom and Mississippi State and one of my good buddies (D.J. Looney) is going to play so that helps.

"I know a couple of people on the soccer team and they have had nothing but good things to say about them."