Football: Draco Smith chooses Northern Illinois

Updated: July 26, 2012 5:16PM

Draco Smith will be staying close to home to play college football.

Smith, a rising senior at Mount Carmel and a key cog in the Catholic League Blue power’s offense, has committed to Northern Illinois, according to Caravan defensive coordinator Dave Lenti.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder was recruited by the Huskies as a cornerback. He rushed for 740 yards and five touchdowns on 113 carries for Mount Carmel (10-4), which went on to win the Prep Bowl after losing to eventual state champ Bolingbrook in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Caravan quarterback Don Butkus had this scouting report on Smith earlier this summer: “Tough kid, fast, athletic. He’s a guy that can make a lot of things happen this year.”

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