Prep Notebook: Mariposa football player Smith to walk on at Vanderbilt

Mariposa receiver Zack Smith is making the jump from the Southern League to the South Eastern Conference. The Grizzlies senior has been invited as a preferred walk-on at Vanderbilt University.

Smith committed shortly after taking a visit to the campus in Nashville in the middle of February.

“It’s incredible, it’s so surreal,” Smith said. “I’m going to go up against the best of the best week in and week out, day in and day out. It’s something I’m ready for and it’s something Vanderbilt thinks I’m capable of or they wouldn’t have wasted my time or their time. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”

Smith was an all-SL selection last season after hauling in 84 receptions for 1,167 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith also currently has a 4.33 GPA, which ranks sixth in his class.

“I think that’s what got him noticed was the work he put in the classroom,” said Mariposa coach Ryan Oliphant. “If that wasn’t there he would still get noticed, but not by a school like Vanderbilt.”

Oliphant says Smith has grown since the end of the football season and now stands 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. The Grizzlies star played three seasons of varsity football at Mariposa, transitioning from quarterback to receiver his sophomore season.

The move has paid off in a big way.

“He’s a kid who fights hard, he’s hard working, very coachable, very smart and he’s adapted to everything I’ve thrown at him on the field,” Oliphant said. “Not only was he our best receiver, but he was our backup quarterback, punt returner and kick returner.”

Smith said he’ll be given the opportunity to earn a football scholarship during his time at Vanderbilt. In the meantime, academic scholarships and grants will cover anywhere from two-thirds to three-fourths of his cost of going to school.

“With everything it will cost less than going to a state school,” Smith said. “One of the big selling points was whether you’re a five-star recruit or a walk-on, everyone gets the same opportunity to play. It’s something that has to be earned. I think that’s admirable.”

Smith knew Vanderbilt was the place for him immediately when he took his visit.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said. “The best way to describe it is it just felt like home.”

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Prep Notebook: Mariposa football player Smith to walk on at Vanderbilt."