The right-handed pitching prospect from Slammers and Eaton High School sat down with the PBR Colorado staff to talk about why he chose Oklahoma State University (OSU) and how he was able to get on their radar. Tate also talks about how he was able to connect and build a relationship with the OSU coaches.

The future Cowboy offers advice to younger athletes who are starting or in the middle of their recruitment process.

 

pic.twitter.com/5pv70B3ois

— Tate Smith (@tatesmith_30) October 25, 2021

 

Q&A with Tate Smith

Q: You attended the Future Games in Georgia. When you left the event and headed back to Colorado, what was your overall impression of the event?

Smith: The Future Games is the best event out there if your goal is to play college baseball. It allows you to show what you’ve got in front of coaches against the best of the best. It allows coaches to see you in action, and then they can contact you if they have interest. It was great for me, as I come from a smaller high school and national exposure is limited there. Meeting the other guys from across the state and building a relationship with them was also a great time. 

Q: What was the recruiting trail like for you, before you attended the Future Games? Were colleges interested early on and how did you get on the college coaches radars?

Smith: I was fortunate enough to be recruited by a few schools before the Future Games, but had much more contact from coaches during and after the event. I got on certain schools radar with the help of PBR Colorado and my coaches at Slammers. Mike Anderson of PBR Colorado has been invaluable to me in the recruiting process, as have Byron Embry (Slammers), Cephas Howard (Slammers),and my high school coach Todd Hernandez (Eaton).  All have helped me throughout the process. 

Q: You're committed to Oklahoma State University, how did you connect with them and what was it like talking to their staff? Did you visit, and if so how was that?

Smith: I talked to Oklahoma State some my sophomore year.  When Justin Seely was hired, and I started talking to them a lot more. The OSU coaches kept coming to my games and building a relationship with me. They reached out through Mike at PBR initially.  They also spoke with my Slammers coaches.  So, when they offered me a visit I went and checked it out. I fell in love right away and knew it seemed like a good fit for me and the goals I have set for myself.

Q: What made you choose Oklahoma State University over other schools that gave you offers?

Smith: Oklahoma State was the best fit for me. I feel strongly that I can build a great relationship with the coaches and know that they can help me improve and reach my goals. The facilities are the best I’ve ever seen!  I fell in love as soon as I saw them.

Q: Now that you have finished your recruitment process, do you have any advise for young '23s, ‘24s, 25’s or even ‘26s who have just started this process?

Smith: Just keep working hard. Keep your head down and get better each day. Always move forward and have a short memory. If you put in the work the rest will take care of itself.

Q: Lastly, out of all the PBR events you have attended in your career, what has PBR meant to you during your time playing baseball in Colorado?

Smith: I have attended PBR showcases, played in the Junior  Future Games, and have also played in the Future Games. PBR has done so much for me. It has given me the opportunity to make new friends and build new relationships, and is a big part why I am committed. It allows you to develop and play against the best of the best in front of people that matter. PBR Events are definitely something every baseball player should be doing if they want to play in college and beyond. 

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