Mitchell's Cory Smith signs with Ave Maria

Mitchell's Cory Smith signed with Ave Maria University in Naples.

The NAIA school is slated to begin competing in football in 2011, but the team will practice this fall, Mustangs coach Brian Wachtel said.

Smith played linebacker and in the secondary collecting 72 tackles for Mitchell last fall. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder also played receiver.

"He was an important component to what we did on defense because of his versatility," Wachtel said.

igould@tampabay.com

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