As expected, Wichita Heights running back Dreamius Smith orally committed to Turner Gill’s Kansas University football program on Saturday.
Smith, in town with his family to take in the Jayhawks first practices of the spring and visit the facilities, becomes the second commitment in KU’s Class of 2011. He joins fellow-running back Darrian Miller, of Blue Springs (Mo.) High as the first high school juniors to commit to Kansas this season.
“I met all of the coaches and they made it feel like a home to me,” Smith told Rivals.com on Saturday.
KU assistant coach Robert Wimberly was the lead recruiter for the projected four-star running back and Smith said last week that he felt as if Wimberly was one of his best friends.
After meeting with Wimberly and other KU assistant coaches — including running backs coach Reggie Mitchell — Smith and his family sat down with Gill and told the head coach of his decision to become a Jayhawk.
As a junior in 2009, Smith, 6-foot, 205 pounds, rushed for more than 1,300 yards and helped lead Wichita Heights to the Class 6A state title game, where they lost to Olathe North. In addition, Smith joined heavily-recruited hoops teammate Perry Ellis in leading Heights to the state basketball title.
In February, Kansas became the first school to offer Smith a scholarship. That early interest, combined with Smith’s childhood dreams of playing his college football in Lawrence, helped lead him to commit.
Smith also received heavy interest from Kansas State, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.
Jayhawks offer son of former foe
Kansas has offered a scholarship to Tyler Lockett, son of former Kansas State receiver Kevin Lockett.
Lockett, a junior wide receiver at Booker T. Washington High in Tulsa, Okla., stands 5-10, 165 pounds, runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and is receiving interest from Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU.
His father, a second-round pick of the Kansas Chiefs in 1997, played eight seasons in the NFL after starring at K-State.