7-footer Derrik Smits has a handful of colleges recruiting him the hardest right now. The Zionsville (Ind.) center is looking for a big senior season. Here is a look at his current recruitment.

Currently the main schools that Derrik Smits is talking to include Ball State, Tenneesee, Indiana State, Valparaiso and UTEP. He has scholarship offers from Ball State, Indiana State and UTEP while Valpo is expected to offer on Tuesday when head coach Bryce Drew attends open gym.

Smits will take an unofficial visit to Tennessee this weekend. As mentioned before, the Vols are talking to him on a regular basis although they have not offered Smits yet.

As most know, Derrik is the son of former Indiana Pacer center Rik Smits. Derrik says that his father plays a supportive role in his recruitment, but he is not controlling every part of the process. “He (Rik) wants me to figure out what I want, but if I ever have any questions, he is always there. He always asks good questions when we go to colleges, but he doesn't want to make the decision for me,” said Derrik Smits.

Ball State head coach James Whitford was at Zionsville's open gym on Monday night. The Cardinals have made Smits a recruiting priority in the 2015 class. The main message from Ball State has revolved around early playing time for Smits. “I will replace the big guys they are going to lose in this recruiting class. Ball State, Indiana State and UTEP all lose two big guys in this senior class that they are looking to replace,” said Derrik Smits.

Some have figured that Indiana State would be out of the picture with its recent commitment from an Illinois post player. It appears that both sides maintain interest in the other. “I talked to Indiana State after Bronson (Kessinger) committed. I congratulated them, but I told them that me and a couple other teammates knew he was going there for a month even though he didn't tell us that,” commented Smits.

The Indiana State message to Smits has been playing time and playing with travel squad teammate Bronson Kessinger as Kessinger committed to Indiana State earlier this month. “They have been trying to talk me into playing with him a lot. We have played together for four years, so we know how to play with each other,” said Smits.

A timetable for a college decision has not been set by Smits at this time. He reports that he would prefer to make a decision at some point in the high school season instead of dragging it out until the spring. Post players – especially 7-footers – become a hot commodity in the spring for high-major schools if he does decide to wait.

Attending a high-major school is not Derrik's biggest concern though. “We (Derrik and Rik) have talked about playing time and how big that is. He would rather me go to a school where I could play a lot,” said Smits.

According to Derrik, his college decision will be based on his fit with the coaches and players in the program along with playing time. For those reasons, a college decision seems more likely by December or January than April or May.

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