Oak Park’s Smith Selects California

Tarik Smith, a running back from Oak Park High, on Wednesday committed to play football at California.

“I kind of knew in my heart that I wanted to go to Cal all along,” Smith said. “I was going to take a trip to UCLA on the weekend, but I didn’t think UCLA or the other schools could show me anything to make me change my mind.”

Smith (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) said he was recruited by every Pacific 10 Conference school, in addition to Illinois, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. High school football players may sign national letters of intent beginning Feb. 3.

The 17-year-old Smith was regarded as one of the top recruits in the Southland entering the 1992 season after rushing for 1,776 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior. However, he played in only five games during a tumultuous senior year.

Smith suffered a shoulder bruise during a passing-league game in the summer that bothered him throughout the season. He was further hampered after suffering sprains to both ankles early in the season. Smith also was suspended twice--once for skipping a class and again for an alcohol-related offense.

Still, he rushed for 746 yards and 10 touchdowns. Smith said recruiters were not concerned about the incidents.

“I was really worried about that stuff, so I called all of the (Pac-10 schools) and told them about what happened before they found out on their own,” Smith said. “After all the stuff I’ve been through this year, I’m looking forward to playing at Cal.”