By Erik Harris
PINSON — A coach from Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky came to visit Pinson Valley head football coach Matt Glover a couple weeks ago and landed two commitments out of the trip.
Seniors Juray Smith and D’Andre Hart, both defensive backs for the Indians, made the coach’s 315-mile trek worth it when they pledged with the Blue Raiders last weekend.
“The good thing about both of them is not only are they really, really athletic players, they’re really smart, too, so that will bode well (for them) in the secondary,” Glover said. “I think Lindsey Wilson is getting two really good football players.”
Smith recovered from a torn ACL to finish his Pinson Valley career on a strong note, leading the team with three interceptions on his way to being named an All-State honorable mention performer. Smith also totaled 42 tackles and eight tackles for loss. The senior was Glover’s most experienced defensive back as a three-year starter.
Hart, on the other hand, was new to defense in 2014. He entered summer workouts as a wide receiver, but got converted to safety shortly before the start of the season. He finished the 2014 season with 35 tackles, and a team-leading seven pass breakups and four blocked punts.
The late push to the defensive side might have affected him early, but it didn’t stop him from becoming one of the Indians’ strongest defensive players. Glover said that the Lindsey Wilson staff liked Hart’s 6-foot-1 frame.
Both players shined on special teams in their time at Pinson Valley and hope to continue that trend at the next level.
Smith was considered one of the most dangerous punt returners in the area before his knee injury. However, Hart robbed him of a few return opportunities by blocking four punts last season.
Glover believes that broad skill set will benefit both of them moving forward.
“The good thing about those two is they can both play offense, so it depends on what the coaches want to do with them,” Glover said.
Former Indians’ defensive back Mondeno Gibson, brother of former Pinson Valley All-State running back Nick Gibson, signed with the Blue Raiders in 2013.