Momentum in recruiting often grows gradually. For Davon Smith, it came suddenly.
The Rivals Camp in Houston showcased some of the region’s top prospects, but by the end of the day, the three-star junior linebacker from Westfield High School took home the MVP honors.
Already the reigning 6A Defensive MVP with over 24 Division I offers, Smith’s performance reaffirmed what college recruiters and Houston-area coaches have been noticing for months: The instinctive defender with a talent for finding the football is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting linebackers in the 2027 recruiting class.
“Winning the MVP at the Houston Rivals Camp meant a lot to me because it allowed me to showcase my skills among the best in Texas, and that’s what I achieved,” said Smith. “I entered the camp focused, wanting to prove that I’m one of the top linebackers in the state of Texas.”
With so many athletes present at the Houston Rivals Camp, standing out was essential.
“Smith is one of the state’s top off-ball linebackers and a terror when it comes to filling gaps and attacking the run,” said Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Director of Recruiting Greg Powers. “He brought that same no-nonsense mentality to the Rivals Camp, where he excelled in drills and flashed his ability in coverage by making plays against running backs in the passing game. It’s another layer added to an already impressive skill set.”
While the camp performance may have introduced Smith to a broader national recruiting audience, those familiar with Houston high school football know that recognition didn’t happen overnight. His junior season concluded with 121 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, and 10 hurries, earning him District 14-6A Defensive MVP honors.
“The part of my game that improved the most during my junior season was being able to play in space while making more plays on the perimeter,” said Smith.
Westfield head coach Desmar Black agrees that Smith is a capable linebacker.
“Davon is a student of the game,” said Black. “He’s extremely smart academically, and that translates to the football field. He understands schemes and embraces the talent he has in front and around him. He’s okay with the ‘WEfence’ mentality. ‘If you do your job, and it’s not your play to make, then you, in fact, have also made a play.’”
Smith is a mix of instinct, preparation, and effort combined into one solid football player. His performance stands out on the stat sheet, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind the scenes, much of his growth has been guided by former Texas A&M and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Donnie Baggs, who knows exactly what it takes to play linebacker at the highest level.
“First time I started working with him, he reminded me of one of my older guys, Alexander Kilgore,” said Baggs. “Almost immediately, his work ethic stood out. Very focused & hungry to be better.”
Baggs, who has trained many high school linebackers before they moved on to their college programs, has seen Smith’s game improve greatly since they started working together.
“His block disruption, use of hands, and footwork have definitely improved the most,” said Baggs. “He always had good footwork, but the more we worked, the better it got. He’s definitely one of the best moving linebackers I’ve had the chance to work with.”
Being able to play both sides of the ball sets Smith apart from many other high school linebackers. Last season, when asked, he stepped in at running back, rushing for over 250 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think what sets him apart is the chip on his shoulder and his ability to excel on both sides of the ball,” said Baggs. “I’ve never trained a linebacker who played both offense and defense, and done it at such a high level. He could be a D1 running back if he wanted to. Just a special athlete with a worker’s mentality.”
“The most important lesson Baggs has taught me about playing football is that ‘I have to LOVE the game, not what the game brings to me,’ that’s something that stuck with me and helped me work even harder,” said Smith.
Training with someone who has played college and NFL football has benefited Smith both physically and mentally.
“Training with guys that are already at the next level motivated me and showed me that it’s possible as long as I handle my business and work hard,” said Smith.
With top-tier training and elite performance on Friday nights, it’s no surprise that college programs nationwide are starting to recruit the Westfield standout, as Smith currently has more than 24 Division I offers and continues to attract national attention.
“The recruiting process has been going well,” said Smith. “I’ve built valuable relationships with the schools that have offered me, and I truly appreciate them believing in me.”
Smith is seeking development, culture, and opportunity as he plans to conduct several official visits: Utah (May 29–31), Arizona (June 5–7), Pitt (June 11–13), and Louisiana Lafayette (June 18–20).
“Davon has some positional flexibility based on what the offense deploys week to week,” said Black. “He can play all three linebacker positions in 4-3 structure, or inside linebacker in 3-4 structure. In a 3-3 structure, he’s equipped to pressure and adjust fits. He’s a football player.”
Davon’s ability to prepare, play with great effort and physicality, diagnose in real time, and provide efficient feedback will translate exceptionally well at the collegiate level,” said Black.
Gaining attention and camp accolades can boost expectations for any high school player. For Smith, however, the focus stays much closer to home.
“As a senior next season, my goals are to record over 125 tackles, score 5 touchdowns with more than 500 rushing yards, lead in interceptions, forced fumbles, and tackles for loss while helping guide my team to a state championship,” said Smith.
As his focus increases, Smith realizes the importance of working hard and remaining humble.
The Rivals Camp MVP trophy may have highlighted Smith’s potential on a larger stage, but those closest to him believe the best parts of his football journey are still to come.
“I’m keeping the main thing the main thing by pushing my guys and remembering our goal,” said Smith.
