Like other high-school prospects announcing their college commitments, Vincent Smith did the big reveal on July 10 at Sandburg.
But the pullover Smith was wearing before taking it off to reveal a long-sleeved West Virginia T-shirt — signifying his commitment to the Mountaineers — had a special meaning of its own.
Smith lost his stepfather, Walter Mack III, to suicide in January. “That’s why you saw me wearing the Mental Health Matters shirt earlier,” Smith said. “Honestly, it was really surreal because I got my first offer from Toledo and then literally two days later he died. I just remember having my last conversation with him and he was just saying he was really proud of me. I remember him coming and hugging me.
“I have always been a big advocate for mental health, but especially now because it’s hit so close to home.”
That was the biggest challenge Smith faced on his journey to becoming a Division I recruit, but it wasn’t the only one. Growing up, he moved around, living in Tennessee, spending summers in Texas and starting high school in Orlando, Florida.
A job change for his mom led to a relocation to Lemont, where he played one season before transferring to Sandburg last season.
A three-star prospect, the 6-2, 205-pounder is the No. 13 player in Illinois and the No. 39 cornerback nationally in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
“A year ago, I didn’t know I’d be in this position,” he said, “because my recruiting just blew up super fast.”
Smith initially committed to Northern Illinois, but a breakout performance at a camp in Ohio put him on the map. He said he ran a 4.42 for 40 yards, went 8-2 in one-on-one matchups and was the runner-up for defensive back MVP. Power Four offers started coming in from the likes of Purdue, Iowa, USC and Kentucky.
What made West Virginia the right fit?
“They have a great coaching staff, I really do love the campus,” Smith said. “… The players, they feel like, so together. I feel like I would fit right in.”
Just like he did at Sandburg. Like Smith, Sheamus Murphy was new to the Eagles last year as an assistant on Troy McAllister’s staff. When McAllister left to take the Homewood-Flossmoor job after last season, Murphy took over as Sandburg’s head coach.
“When I got here last year, I was the new guy,” Murphy said. “I knew my tight end group, didn’t really know anybody else. I was the new guy, he was also the new guy. So we kind of struck a bond right away. … Vince and I just kind of connected right away. … He’s got an infectious personality and charisma and you could see right away that athletic ability that I just haven’t seen or coached before.
“There’s not too many 6-2, 205-pound guys that can run a 4.4 40. He’s gifted. But the thing that I am most proud of is the personal growth and maturity that’s taken place these last few months academically and then being able to overcome something tragic like that. … Because since then he has been on a different level when it comes to focus.”
My son reached out for help and he was put on meds that made him suicidal, mood swings, violent after getting off medication he did great into bowling on a team, fishing, good job, bought house and car. We can get better