Zayden Smith, former Cumberland Valley now Bishop McDevitt TE, pledges services to Texas Tech
Tagged under: District 3, News, Recruiting
Billy Splain | June 25, 2026
Last season Zayden Smith had a breakout year, if you can call it that, at Cumberland Valley. In his sophomore year he hauled in 20 passes for 368 yards and a three scored. This past season he caught 36 balls for 442 yards and 7 trips to the endzone. That production, plus his growth, gained the attention of several college coaches. Texas Tech sealed the deal when Smith visited recently.
Following the 2025 season, Smith transferred to Bishop McDevitt. “Ya know, he’s a kid that has a lot of physical ability. We talk about age, He wont be 17 till October. LeSean McCoy (who started a company to help players through the recruiting process) ishelping him said his new Head Coach, Jeff Weachter. “They needed an athletic tight end, he went to camp, took official and really liked it so he committed. He’s very quiet, hard worker, coachable (credit to those who taught him along the way). The type of player you like. We are excited to see what he can do here for us this season”.
We caught up with Zayden to ask about his decision:
PFN: Why did you choose to commit to them before your Sr season?
The environment and how close the players and the coaches are as a family. As well as the head coach being a players coach
PFN: Who was your biggest influence there, who recruited you?
Coach Cochran
PFN: What are they getting in player like you?
Good speed and body control for my size
PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?
It was long and had many surprise’s during so
PFN: What position were you recruited for?
TE
PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?
Computer Science
PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?
Very supporting in whatever school I chose
PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the program?
The connection the players and the coaches have together
PFN: What are you most looking forward to while playing for them?
Being developed by the best
PFN: Tell everyone out there in the football world something they’d never know about you until you told them:
I know how to build computers
PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?
Older cousins Ishmael Palmer
Why do you play football?
Saw everyone around me playing and it eventually became a childhood dream to play pro some day
What would you do to improve the recruiting process?
Communicate as much as possible
PFN: What is it you’d like all your high school teammates and fans to know about your decision that you might have a hard time saying in person?
It’s gonna be hard gets used to being so far away from home and away from everyone I know
What are your goals for this coming season?
Win a district championship and have over 700 yards
Tell everyone why you think football is good for a community
Very big and diverse. Lots of people that can help train you and help you find what position fits you
what is your favorite pregame ritual?
I have to put on my helmet a certain way
Music of choice:
Rap or hip hop
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Bahamas
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