Alabama's defensive coordinator has had a major hand in the early makings of the Crimson Tide's 2010 signing class, recruiting eight of UA's 18 current commitments. Make that nine commitments if you include
Devonta Bolton, a 2008 signee who did not academically qualify but is expected to re-sign with the Crimson Tide after a two-year stint at East Mississippi Community College. Thus far, Smart's commitment trophies for 2010 include Rivals.com five-star cornerback
Demarcus Milliner of Millbrook, Ala., who chose UA over offers from a host of major programs including Oklahoma, as well as Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia from the Southeastern Conference. More recently, Smart managed to pull four-star speedster
Corey Grant from Opelika, which is nearly close enough to rival Auburn to get shade from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"It wasn't so much what Coach Smart said as what he didn't say. He never badmouthed other schools. He never once brought up Auburn," said Grant's father, Ike Grant. "He simply focused on the positives of Alabama. Coach Smart was persistent, but not in an overbearing way. He made sure our questions and concerns were addressed. He gave us a lot of follow-up in a genuine kind of way.
"Coach Smart reminded me of an assistant coach I have worked with for years that I can just get off the practice field with and talk about anything. It didn't feel like business with Coach Smart. He did everything with hard work and sincerity."
