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A STAR IS BORN: Is Grand Oaks Smith The Next Big Thing In Conroe ISD?
District 13-6A has some of the top players in the country including two of the top quarterbacks in Willis’ Derek Lagway Jr. (Florida-Commit) and The Woodlands’ Mabrey Mettauer (Wisconsin-Commit). A new name has entered the chat.
Class of 2026 Grand Oaks quarterback Grant Smith recently picked up first offer from Texas A&M recently and looks the part. Could he be the next big thing to come out of Conroe ISD?
VYPE caught up with Smith about the offer and more.
Smith was born to be a football player with his Dad playing college ball and his older sibling playing at Grand Oaks. He was always around the field.
“Growing up, I always played on my older brother's team because my Dad didn't want to coach two teams," he said. "We grew up playing flag, then 7on7 and then finally South County Football League. On the weekends in the Fall, we are either playing football, watching it live or on the TV. “
After picking up his first offer from Texas A&M, Smith has been on everyone’s radar. How did it feel to get that first offer?
“It means the world to me,” Smith said. “Texas A&M is one of the most elite football programs in the country. Game days at Kyle Field are like no other... you can feel the excitement in the air. Having an offer from an SEC school means that I would have the chance to play against the best teams in the country. If playing against Alabama, LSU, UT and OU every year doesn't excite you, I don't know what would.”
The young gunslinger got the offer after watching practice and talking with head coach Jimbo Fisher. The conversation really made an impact on Smith.
“It was amazing seeing Coach Fisher at practice," he said. "He was full of energy and is always looking for ways for the guys to get better. I saw him spend time with the QBs, WRs and the OL. It is easy to see why programs excel under his leadership,” he said.
“After the practice in his office, he was still full of energy. He told me he watched my film and was impressed with how I threw the ball. He thinks only going to grow and get better. After he gave me the offer, he answered all of our questions and told me that I am welcome to come back any time. I can't wait!”
Smith saw some varsity action as a freshman this past year splitting reps. With new head coach Shaun McDowell now at the helm, it’ll be his team to lead. As the offseason has gone along and Spring Ball starts, he’s looking forward to a breakout sophomore season.
“This offseason has been busy. Coach Mac really cranked up offseason to help us get bigger, faster and stronger," he said. "Everything we are doing is new. I have been working with my offensive teammates on new routes, concepts and reads to make sure we are seeing things the same way, that our timing is right and we are getting full speed reps in to make sure we are getting better every day."
Smith also mentioned he plans on taking some visits this offseason but not until after Spring Ball concludes. He did mention he plans to go to Texas Tech, OU, SMU, UT, TCU, Baylor, UH, LSU, Vanderbilt, Rice and back to A&M this June.
CULTURE FIT: College Park hires red-hot Coats after State Title with Desoto
Kyle Coats has been named College Park’s third coach in school history and comes over to run the Cavalier program with some new hardware. Coats was the co-defensive coordinator at Desoto High School, which won Class 6A DII State Championship in December.
Coats has been around the college game with stops at the University of Texas, Hardin Simmons, Trinity and ETBU. In the high school ranks, he’s been at Westwood, Desoto and now has his first head job at College Park.
In this can’t-miss interview with the young coach, he talks about his interesting path to Conroe ISD.