Football recruiting event makes impression on top UNT target Jaydon Smith

The safety from Ingleside near Corpus Christi was offered by UNT late last year and had begun to build a connection with the program’s coaches.

Those bonds became stronger after Smith was among close to 20 players who made the trip to Denton for an event at the Lovelace & McNatt Families Practice Facility.

The players UNT hosted had dinner, visited with coach Eric Morris and his staff and took part in a photo shoot.

UNT capped the event by allowing its recruits to try to dunk the coaches in a carnival-like tank. The tank had a target players tried to hit with a baseball to drop coaches into the water.

“The event made an impression on me,” Smith said. “The environment was great, and the coaches are trustworthy. The players all said they love the place.”

UNT has gotten off to a quick start in putting together its second recruiting class of the Morris era. The Mean Green have already landed six players from the class of 2024, including a few who attended Saturday’s event.

UNT’s hope is to add to that haul over the next few days when players can visit campuses. Players are permitted to take visits up until June 25.

Morris pointed to the importance of the event on his Twitter account before players arrived.

“Getting ready to start an EPIC Saturday in Denton TX!!,” Morris wrote.

The event certainly made an impression on Smith, who visited with running back Oscar Adaway III and Chanler Rogers, a quarterback who was among the Mean Green’s top signees in its last recruiting class.

“The food was good and everyone on the staff was nice,” Smith said. “You get to know all the coaches, not just your position coach.”

Smith has seen his recruiting process pick up in recent weeks. Boston College, Nebraska and Washington have all offered Smith a scholarship. Baylor has been in contact with him but has yet to offer.

Smith has yet to make a decision on where he will continue his career, but he walked away from UNT’s event with a positive feeling.

“I’m kind of set on North Texas,” Smith said. “I visited once before, and it was nothing but good vibes. I haven’t committed yet, but I’m thinking about doing it later this week or next week. I have to talk it over with my family.”