Penn State '19 VA LB - Brandon Smith (Penn State Verbal)

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Strongside defensive end
4 STARS
Louisa County
Mineral, VA
RR: 5.8
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 218 lbs
Class: 2019

Ohio State has offered.

 

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Ohio State Offers 2019 4-Star Virginia Linebacker Brandon Smith https://t.co/hwgejk6Hzi pic.twitter.com/pM13z6Ufzu

— The Ozone (@theozonedotnet) June 25, 2017

 

#OhioState rolls out red carpet, impresses Top 100 2019 prospect @brand0n_smith12 on first visit to campus https://t.co/3rORT1EqFW (#AAVIP) pic.twitter.com/R60PFRPDBC

— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) June 25, 2017

 

Top100 2019 4-star LB/DE Brandon Smith tells me #OhioState offered him during today's visit https://t.co/8dM0KJOlRA @brand0n_smith12 pic.twitter.com/N4nAvC8d9Q

— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) June 24, 2017

 

Ohio State offers Virginia DE Brandon Smith

Louisa (Va.) defensive end/linebacker Brandon Smith made his long-awaited visit to Ohio State. The country’s sixth-ranked weakside defensive end told Land of 10 that the trip was everything he’d hoped for and more.

“The expectations were met, and exceeded,” Smith said. “I’m very impressed with how Ohio State runs its program.”

Bill Davis, the first-year linebackers coach for the Buckeyes, delayed his vacation to spend Saturday on campus with the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Smith. Ohio State’s focus on things away from football was a major piece of his trip.

“I am pretty sure he [delayed his vacation], so I got a chance to meet [Davis’] family,” Smith said. “[The focus on] growing the whole man was very interesting, as well as their tradition and winning program. My family really enjoyed the campus and the academics, and like myself, look forward to getting back.”

He intends to return to Columbus to see the Buckeyes on the field this fall as team obligations will prevent him from getting to Friday Night Lights in July.

“I will be back up for a game in the fall for sure,” he said. “I have team camp during Friday Night Lights.”

The Buckeyes see a versatile athlete in Smith, which is one of the reasons they offered him on Saturday.

“They told me they can see me playing out in space at the linebacker positions and some pass-rush situations,” he said. “It all depends on how much I grow.”

The Buckeyes’ offer came one day after he was offered by Notre Dame during a visit to South Bend. Not a bad weekend for a player who just turned 16.

“It was a great weekend to get an offer from two great schools,” Smith said. “I am truly thankful.”

 

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Brandon Smith excited to see Buckeyes

Top 100 Class of 2019 prospect Brandon Smith, a 4-star defensive end from Louisa County (Mineral, Va.) High School, will return to Ohio State this weekend for the first time since June 24.

“We are scheduled to get there on Saturday and we’ll leave Sunday,” Smith told Land of 10. “I’m looking forward to it. My last visit was a quick visit, so this time I will get a chance to see everything. I’m going to see more of the campus, meeting all of the coaches and meet Coach Meyer, of course.”

Smith has 21 offers, including one from the Buckeyes. He says he’s in communication with the Ohio State staff every day.

“I speak with Coach Meyer via text messages daily and on the phone once a week, as well as [linebackers] Coach [Bill] Davis,” he said. “Coach just send me different video clips and words of encouragement, and info about Ohio State.”

Two of the three 247Sports.com Crystal Balls for Smith are for Penn State, the school he’s visited most. He’s hesitant to call the Nittany Lions his leader but says they’re in his top group.

“I have a good relationship with Penn State, and I really like the school and coaches,” he said. “They are one of my top schools. At this point my family and I are just going through the process.”

 

4-star Virginia DE in the class of 2019 will visit Ohio State this weekend for the Buckeyes game vs Maryland. https://t.co/TGltVAYWih

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) October 3, 2017

 

Lots of special attention for 2019 DE Brandon Smith today at Ohio State. Saw him with Gene Smith earlier.

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) October 7, 2017

 

Coach @OSUCoachMeyer lets elite recruit @brand0n_smith12 know how important he is during #OhioState visit https://t.co/LV0PScfCS8

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 8, 2017

 

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THE COMMONWEALTH IS TREATING THE BUCKEYES WELL

Ohio State rolled out the red carpet this weekend for Mineral, Virginia, Louisa County four-star defensive end Brandon Smith, as he and his family spent time talking with head coach Urban Meyer, athletic director Gene Smith and program assistant Stacy Elliott, the father of former Buckeye running back Ezekeil Elliott.

“It was an incredible experience,” Smith told Eleven Warriors. “They said I'm a top target, but they also said they like the way I play. How I'm athletic, have long arms, quickness and a high football IQ. Just the attention they showed and the way they treated everybody [stood out]. They're straightfoward and honest.”

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Smith is considered the sixth-best weak-side defensive end and No. 79 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, as he recorded 40 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two sacks to garner first-team all-conference honors last season. He holds nearly two dozen offers from programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Oregon, USC and Virginia Tech, but Ohio State and Penn State are standing out early in the process.

“Both show they care about you as soon as you come to campus,” Smith said. “They're not acting. They are who they are.”

This was Smith's second trip to Columbus, as he made a brief stop by campus in late June. Most of the staff was on vacation at that time, but linebackers coach Bill Davis postponed his to meet with Smith and offer him a scholarship that afternoon. His main goal this visit was being able to see more of the campus and getting time with Meyer — which he clearly accomplished.

With no plans to narrow things down or make a decision on his future anytime soon, Smith has just one goal.

“Just make sure we build upon the relationship we have,” he said.

 

Brandon Smith talks Ohio State visit

The battles between Ohio State and Penn State on the recruiting trail are not likely to be limited to the Class of 2018. In fact, 4-star 2019 defensive end prospect Brandon Smith may turn out to be one of the more fierce fights between the two sides.

Smith visited Ohio State this weekend and was given the red carpet treatment by the Buckeyes.

“We got a chance to meet the AD and the president of Ohio State, which was great,” Smith told Land of 10 on Sunday. “That was not expected. The cool thing was being able to speak with Coach Meyer [on Saturday] before the game, after the game and [Sunday] morning at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.”

The chance to spend time with Meyer stands out to him.

“It was actually an incredible experience just to be able to be speaking with him,” he said. “Listening to how much he loves me as a player and person.”

His parents accompanied him on the trip and were impressed by the different programs the school has to offer. Smith – who is being recruited as a linebacker by Ohio State – doesn’t have any leader in his recruitment, but it’s clear the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions are going to be in the mix for a while.

“My mom and dad was really impressed with academics and Real Life Wednesday that OSU provides for the players,” he said. “I’ll be back. Ohio State is definitely one of my top schools.”

 

#Buckeyes 'definitely' a top school for #Rivals100 LB/DE Brandon Smith after Saturday's return visit https://t.co/ltc5Wsq5Mf

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) October 12, 2017

 

Four-star 2019 LB Brandon Smith is a priority for #NotreDame. You'll see why in his Junior season Hudl highlights 📽️@brand0n_smith12 @rico06_06 https://t.co/snm5Tiw7kE

— Kevin Sinclair (@KevinSinclair_) December 15, 2017

 

#PennState has made Virginia LB Brandon Smith a top priority in 2019 and his junior film shows why. https://t.co/2mkk77qFDF @247Sports

— Lions247 (@Lions247) December 19, 2017

 

Louisa 2019 LB Brandon Smith picks up his latest offer from the #Florida Gators in the #SEC. https://t.co/XuEwhAUnZa

— Matthew Hatfield (@hatfieldsports) December 24, 2017

 

Nation's No. 4 junior DE Brandon Smith feels UGA is in a 'very good spot' with him right now: https://t.co/hnJs3ods8x pic.twitter.com/cKfQ71Snfi

— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) February 15, 2018

 

Today, TSL profiles another top target on Virginia Tech's 2019 board — Brandon Smith. The consensus four-star prospect is one of the best recruits in the nation, and he's in the #Hokies backyard. https://t.co/ZHmvbRePeN pic.twitter.com/JZsaYoFQlE

— Ricky LaBlue (@RickyLaBlue) February 22, 2018