Get to know Arizona Football target Serra wide receiver and Magic Man Kobe Smith

Arizona Football just offered QB Khalil Tate’s former Serra Football High School teammate and favorite target, WR Kobe Smith.

Arizona Football is handing out offers for the class of 2018 as they normally do this time of year. Recently the coaches offered a very special wide receiver from Serra Gardena High School, Kobe Smith (6-foot-2, 180-pounds). One of five children (one sister, three brothers) he’s a special recruit because of a number of reasons, not only does he have some pretty great hands but the one that sticks out is his relationship with Arizona sophomore QB Khalil Tate.

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Not only was Smith Tate’s favorite target for the long ball in High School, he is also Kobe’s mentor. “That’s my big brother, all of my high school years he’s given me good advice,” said Smith, “Probably to be yourself, to make sure you getting your work done because, in the end, it’s going to matter.”

Smith feels “It would be cool” to play with Tate again. When he things back, his favorite play thus far in his high school career was an exciting one from his sophomore year. “Tate rolled out and threw a bomb to me like 60 yards and I mossed the guy and ran for a touchdown,” explained Smith.

As for Tate, here are his thoughts on the possibility of playing on the Wildcats:

"“I feel like he’ll excel because we run some of the same concepts that we did at Serra. I watched Kobe grow up though. From being a 6th grade varsity water boy at Serra to playing a main role on the varsity team with multiple offers.”"

At Serra HS, the football coach assigns each player a big brother, making it a very tight knit team and brotherhood. Arizona Head Coach Rich Rod does the same thing with his Wildcats.

Maybe that’s why he chose this photo of his big brother Tate to announce his offer:

https://twitter.com/kobisdope80/status/866747646400016385

When fans hear Serra HS Football, they immediately assume that there is no question that player will commit to USC or UCLA if offered. That’s usually the first comment we hear when we report on a player in Los Angeles. So we asked Kobe what he would say to them?

“I’m different than all those guys, I’m looking for the best fit for me,” said Smith, “If I think SC isn’t a fit then I wouldn’t go. I was happy when I got the offer [from Rich Rodriguez] cause I finally had a chance to at least entertain Arizona.”

A little before Smith’s announcement, we saw a photo of him working out with Premium Sports, started by the former Hawkins High School coaches who churn out four and five start athletes. Guess what he was wearing?

Smith is looking for a program with a coach who cares about this players,”I am looking for a coach I can relate to, a “players coach.” As far as the program as a whole? “Life after football, brotherhood, fun.”

Speaking of fun, other than wowing people with his catching aeronautics on the football field, Smith can fool you with magic. He’s good at card tricks, now you see it now you don’t. Maybe that will translate nicely on the football field in Tucson?

Other than card tricks, Smith, like Tate, is a two-sport athlete. He also plays the two or three role in basketball. And if you are wondering, yes, future Wildcat Shareef O’Neal does know Smith, they used to play together in a Nike EYBL league (U15). O’Neal has jumped on the recruiting bandwagon and it was endearing to see.

https://twitter.com/cynreef/status/866754955465564160

Smith patterns his game after Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, “I like the way he plays the game.” He not only hopes to play like him, he looks forward to celebrating in the end zone after touchdowns like him in the Pros. But for now, he does what Coach Rod asks of his players. “Lol, give the ball to the ref,” said Smith, “Our coach isn’t a big fan of celebrations.”

Remember, Serra coaches use college plays to get their players ready for the next level.

This summer, Smith will work on the following:

• My feet and hips
• Being explosive
• Speed Training

Here are some of Smith’s highlights from this past season.

Must Read: More on Arizona Football from ZZ....

Kobe says he plans to visit the UofA campus during the junior visit where he will probably don an Arizona Wildcats jersey and take pictures on the field with his big brother Tate. He may just feel right at home.