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By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Xaverian running back Laray Smith struggled with choice between playing football or running track at a high level in college, but now that he’s committed to Indiana University, he’ll do both.
Smith chose the Hoosiers over Syracuse and the University of Connecticut on Wednesday, ensuring he’ll be able to run with the seventh-best track team in the country — and carry the ball for a Big 10 team.
“It’s a great fit for both football and track,” he said. “They are nationally ranked [in track], and the football team plays in a good conference.”
In track, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Smith will be a big addition, as he holds the nation’s best high school times in the 200-, 300-, and 400-meter dashes. As for the gridiron, Smith was the first Xaverian football player ever named an All-American, and as a junior he ran for 993 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Indiana wasn’t always Smith’s stop choice. He wanted to go to Syracuse, but reconsidered when coach Doug Marone left to become the head coach of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
“When you are recruited by someone for four years and then they leave, it’s a big difference,” Smith said.
He said his visit to Bloomington, Ind. last weekend put things in perspective. Smith felt comfortable with the school not just the athletics side and took to the nature of Hoosier coach Kevin Wilson and his staff.
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.