ESPN to feature Stanford in Signing Day coverage

ESPN reporter Shelley Smith will be on Stanford's campus tomorrow, reporting live from The Farm as part of ESPNU's wall-to-wall coverage of National Signing Day.

This is believed to be the first time ESPN has ever been on site from Stanford for its Signing Day coverage; Smith has previously reported from UCLA or USC.

Why the change?

"There's such an excitement about that university," Smith said. "And it's fun for me, because I covered Stanford back when Jack Elway was the coach, that's back in the dark ages, for the San Francisco Examiner. So it's really fun for me always to go back to Stanford. That has nothing to do with our decision, but that's something that's fun for me.

"I think the decision was because of all the excitement that was created by Christian McCaffrey. A top-five team, really on the rise. Big things are expected of the Cardinal this next season, especially with McCaffrey. He's created a lot of excitement."

The 2016 recruiting cycle has featured several interest turns for Stanford. Most recently, the Cardinal has been on an extended run of flipping prospects who were previously committed to other programs. That's among the storylines Smith intends to highlight in her coverage.

"It's very interesting the kids who have flipped to Stanford," Smith said. "Devery Hamilton, who flipped from Michigan, of course. He really thought that the academics at Stanford were a better fit for him."

"Scooter Harrington from Boston College who flipped. I think it's an interesting storyline, the kids who changed their minds at the last minute."

ESPN will also keep tabs on the Signing Day decision expected from four-star linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch.

"McCulloch is going to announce where he's going on our air," Smith said. "And while most experts don't think it will be Stanford, it will still be a dramatic moment as they're waiting. You just never know - kids change their minds like they change underwear. It's a fun day - it's really fun to watch."

"It's really exciting to see where these kids are going. It's the next step in their lives. I remember when my daughter (signed with a college). It's the same day for soccer signing as football signing. We had a ceremony at home when she signed with Oregon to play soccer. It's just exciting to know what the next step in a kid's life is going to be and what lies ahead for them."