WATCH: Kaden Smith UA jersey presentation
It's a loaded year at the tight end position and that fact will be on display at this year's Under Armour All-America Game, largely in the form of Kaden Smith.
The nation's No. 3 tight end and No. 33 overall prospect was honored with his UA game jersey on Tuesday in front of friends, teammates and family, in a presentation sponsored by American Family Insurance.
#Stanford commit @TheKadenSmith receives Under Armour @AllAmericaGame jersey. @MarcusFootball pic.twitter.com/p7ewEUh3Om
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 6, 2015
"It's a great honor," Smith said of being selected for the game. "Not many kids get invited and I got invited very early in my high school career. It feels great, looking around at some of the other players who will be there."
Off the field, Smith has already made his one big decision, as the 6-foot-6, 242-pound tight end made an April commitment to Stanford and hasn't wavered. More recently, he learned from Cardinal head coach David Shaw that he'd successfully navigated the admissions process and had been accepted to Stanford, a huge hurdle for any Cardinal commitment. Smith said he had little worries about being admitted and chose to commit early -- on the heels of quarterback K.J. Costello -- in order to build the class.
"I wanted to commit and get the class going," Smith said of a class that now holds six ESPN 300 prospects and eight four-star recruits. "We've gotten some key components."
#Stanford commit @TheKadenSmith receives Under Armour @AllAmericaGame jersey. @MarcusFootball @StanfordGerry pic.twitter.com/xXybho6Cx3
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 6, 2015
Texas continues to have some contact with Smith, but he said he isn't really fielding any strong interest from other schools and is looking forward to taking his Stanford official visit in January.
Seven questions with Kaden Smith
What is your earliest football memory?
"I remember playing football at recess with my friends who are on my team now. I think that was in second grade."
What player did you idolize growing up?
"I usually looked up to Jason Witten. He's from my hometown and he's the leading pass catcher for the Cowboys. He's also a great guy off the field."
If you could take on any professional athlete in their sport, who would it be?
"I would try to play LeBron James. I think that would be interesting."
What player are you most excited to play with or against at the UA All-America Game?
"I haven't really looked at everyone who will be down there, but I do know one guy: Greg Little. I'm excited to play with him."
If you could start a team with one recruit from the 2016 class, who would it be?
"It might have to be a great quarterback. I know there's plenty out there. Maybe K.J. Costello, the Stanford commit. We were at The Opening together, so we already have a little chemistry."
Why do you wear your number (82)?
"Going into my freshman year, my position coach gave it to me because that's what he wore in high school. Also, Witten is No. 82, so I kind of wear it for that, too."
What is something people might not know about you?
"I'm a big golfer in my free time. I also go down to Florida in the summer. I like to chill at the beach and have some quiet time."