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Smith goes in-depth on his decision

St. Louis running back Markel Smith has not been to Iowa City in about a year, but decided tonight that is where he wants to play college football. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Smith, who was a Missouri commit early on in the recruiting process, made the call this evening and gave his verbal pledge to the Hawkeyes. We caught up with the three-star prospect shortly afterwards to talk about his decision and much more.

Q: Can you tell me about the decision tonight?

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SMITH: It's just a big relief off my shoulders. I think if anybody else was going to offer me, they would have offered me by now. I felt like I was comfortable at Iowa, so that's where I felt like I needed to go.

Q: Who did you call at Iowa and how did that conversation go?

SMITH: I called Eric Johnson, the recruiter for St. Louis, and left a message with him because they were at practice at the time. Then he called back and he very excited and Coach White was very excited too. They seemed pretty happy about it and so am I.

Q: How did you narrow it down?

SMITH: It was really between Iowa and Mizzou. Iowa has been loyal to me since the beginning and I like the offense they run. I think it really fits my style. I'm not saying I can't adapt to any other offense, but I felt like I can have a lot of success there and quicker probably too.

Q: Have you been up there to visit recently?

SMITH: I haven't since last year, but I went up there multiple times last year. I think I'm going to take my official visit in two weeks when they play Michigan game.

Q: When was the last time you were there?

SMITH: Last fall when they played Penn State.

Q: What kind of happened with Missouri? Did you just decide to go a different way or did they kind of fill up at your position?

SMITH: I guess it was both actually. I went a separate way and then I guess they filled up or whatever, but like I said, I like Iowa. Iowa and Mizzou were neck and neck, so I guess it was meant for me to go to Iowa.

Q: Can you talk a little bit more about the fit at Iowa and what you like about their offense?

SMITH: Their offense revolves around running the ball. I'll be behind a fullback where I've been the last two years before I adapted into the offense I'm in now. Last year, I think I had 2,500 plus yards rushing out of that style of offense, so I think I can do some good things there.

Q: How many yards do you have this year roughly?

SMITH: I'm not sure, but I know I have over 2,000.

Q: Tell me about the game where you had 500 yards this season. How does that even happen?

SMITH: I just couldn't lose. I tip my hat to Washington because it was a tremendous game (48-41). They showed tremendous heart and their players never gave up and ours never gave up either. My line did a great job and I just executed the plays my coach asked me to. I wasn't even focused on it really. I just wanted the W.

Q: Do you have to take the ACT again or are you all good to go academically?

SMITH: I just took the ACT, so I don't know my score yet. If it's not where I hope it is, I'll have to take it again.

Q: What does it feel like for you tonight just getting that decision out there and everything?

SMITH: It feels good. It's my final decision. I'm done. No more visits. I don't have to worry about where I'm going anymore. I know where I'm going and it's official. I can just focus on football now. It's off my shoulders, so it's a big relief. Iowa is a great school. The fans are tremendous and show outstanding support to the players, so I'm excited to go there.

Through nine games this year, Smith has 279 carries for 2,112 yards and 31 touchdowns. St. Vianney High School is currently 6-3 on the season and plays Rockwood Summit on Wednesday in the second round of the playoffs.

With the addition of Smith, the Iowa Hawkeyes now have 16 commitments in the Class of 2014.

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