COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Three-star linebacker/defensive end Brandon Smith (Columbus, Ga./Carver) is a versatile prospect who has seen time at a new position this year.
"This year, I moved from linebacker to weakside defensive end," Smith said. "I told (Carver head coach Dell McGee) that I thought it was a real good change. Anything I can do to help the team, I will play it and do what I can to be the best."
Smith, who has 3.5 sacks this year, is part of a talented defensive line at Carver. Clemson commit defensive end Corey Crawford is one of the top sleeper prospects in the 2010 class and defensive tackle Gabe Wright is a member of the Class of 2011 ESPNU 150 Watch List.
"It's a great challenge to play with those guys," Smith said. "We all push each other and compete with each other and compete with our offense during practice. We just try to make each other better."
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder says that Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, South Carolina, Auburn and Alabama all are schools that have shown interest in him. The Golden Eagles have offered.
"I am going to take my first official visit on Oct. 30 to Tennessee," Smith said. "I am going up there to see them play South Carolina, so I will get the chance to watch two of the teams that I like."
Vols assistant Lance Thompson is recruiting Smith.
"I think he's a great coach," Smith said. "He told me if I come to Tennessee that on first and second down, I am going to be playing outside linebacker, but then on third down I am going to put my hand down and he will let me rush."
Smith said he prefers to rush the passer.
"I think I bring more to the table playing defensive end," he said.
There is one simple thing Smith will be looking for in a college program.
"I just want to go to a school where I can get an education and learn how to be a better man," Smith said. "The NFL doesn't happen for a lot of people, so I just want to go somewhere that I can learn about life and be a better man."
Scouts Inc. projects Smith as an inside linebacker or defensive end and ranks him as the nation's No. 10 inside linebacker prospect in the 2010 class.