Arizona Cardinals 2018-2021 DE - Tyreke Smith ('21 Second Team All-B1G)

DE @T_23_baller talks #OhioState and #PennState with @SWiltfong247 at @TheOpening (VIP) https://t.co/OYDiibr62O

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) July 1, 2017

 

Jackson Carman versus Tyreke Smith: pic.twitter.com/H1UjXwaIjj

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) July 3, 2017

 

#OhioState #Clemson #USC target Jackson Carman vs Tyreke Smith pic.twitter.com/465NPvAy9j

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) July 3, 2017

 

DE Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) vs OL Devontae Dobbs (@Devontae_Dobbs) at #TheOpening @USCScoop pic.twitter.com/bYdBFe0n4L

— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) July 2, 2017

 

Tyreke Smith solidified himself as one of the top defensive ends in the country this weekend

 

No. 3 • Tyreke Smith • DE • Cleveland Heights (Ohio)

He’s still very raw compared to many of his contemporaries, but man, there’s a very high ceiling for Smith. He has continued to grow into his frame and looks more and more like a football player everytime I see him, rather than a basketball player in a helmet.

There’s a West Coast trip coming up in two weeks that will prohibit Smith from visiting Ohio State for Friday Night Lights. However, a lot of the talk around California native has his list shrinking even more than the “top 5” he released on Friday. Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes are not pressuring Smith for a commitment, but they’ve certainly made it known to him that he’s a priority and that spots are shrinking. That said, if Smith wants to wait until signing day to decide, he’s the type of player you wait for.

Ohio State and Penn State are going to keep battling here but most signs point to the Buckeyes being the answer.

 

Stock up on Top247 DE Tyreke Smith who performed well at The Opening this past weekend: https://t.co/u6BTmbJHWP #Buckeyes #PennState pic.twitter.com/70s4647QVE

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 7, 2017

 

I will not be able to make Ohio states Friday Night Lights...But I will be back in Columbus soon 💯❗️

— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) July 11, 2017

 

The mysterious Tyreke Smith

Last week in the Land of 10 series “3 for 3,” I joined two of my peers to take a look at the Buckeyes defensive end recruiting for 2018. We examined the odds of Ohio State landing all three of its top remaining targets at the position: Tyreke Smith, Jayson Oweh and Micah Parsons.

Though myself, Andrew Ellis and Alex Gleitman all predicted that Smith, who is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, would pick the Buckeyes, there certainly are varying degrees of confidence in each prospect’s … prospects.

With Smith, who we’ve talked about at length since at least February, there are so many natural reasons to assume that Ohio State would be his choice. But he’s remained relatively non-committal about his interest in any school.

That’s not to say he’s not clear about his interests. Everyone in the recruiting business has a handle on his interests, but how much he’s interested remains a mystery. There’s Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama, USC, Notre Dame and others in the mix, but from discussions with sources close to the Buckeyes, no one has really been able to get a read on the country’s third-ranked weakside defensive end.

But every one of Smith’s 247Sports.com Crystal Ball predictions have him pegged for Ohio State, making it seem like this recruitment is all but over.

That’s a belief I don’t share, though the Buckeyes are in a good position.

 

Tyreke Smith speaks on his mysterious nature

On Tuesday night we talked a little bit here about Tyreke Smith, the country’s No. 4-ranked defensive end and a native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. The gist? Smith is hard to read, not just for folks like me, but also for college coaches trying to get a gauge on what he’s thinking about with respect to his recruitment.

I asked Smith about that, and the 6-foot-3, 260-pound two-sport star admitted he’s been sort of difficult to get in touch with. Especially for Larry Johnson and Ohio State.

“We actually don’t talk as much as I think we should,” Smith told Land of 10. “That’s probably my fault. Every time they want to talk, it’s a bad time for me, and then it just falls through.”

Before you start up the Worry Machine 2017, know that Smith says it’s not just the Buckeyes having a challenging time reaching him.

“Yes, it’s all schools,” Smith said with a laugh. “I need to do better at contacting them myself. I text schools a lot, but I need to call schools more.”

In a way, it’s refreshing to see a Top 60 player this disinterested with the entire process. Smith is just going to keep doing what he’s doing, at his pace.

“I haven’t let this whole process stress me out like a lot of kids do, for real,” he said. “It’s a blessing, though. I will soon know where I’m going to play college football.”

 

4-star Cleveland DE Tyreke Smith announces his top 5 with some fashion:

Alabama
Ohio State
Oregon
Penn State
USC https://t.co/m1Z6Nzzj8d

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) August 27, 2017

 

Ohio State target Tyreke Smith to announce at Under-Armour game

The wait for a top-flight defensive end to join 5-star prospect Brenton Cox in Columbus will extend into January.

Three weeks ago, Jayson Oweh announced that he’d make his college decision at the Under-Armour All-American game in January. This weekend, Cleveland (Ohio) Heights standout Tyreke Smith told Land of 10 he’s doing the same thing.

“I’ve decided, to commit at the Under-Armour game,” he told Land of 10.

Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama and USC are among the schools hoping for good news from Smith. The game is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 4, 2018. It will take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and will air on ESPN2.

The Buckeyes remain one of the favorites to land Smith, and with an official announcement date now in play it’s time to scratch the 6-foot-3, 260-pound California native from the list of “could commit at any time” prospects.

Smith, Oweh and Micah Parsons — who is expected to announce his college decision in December before enrolling early — could be the post-Christmas gift of gifts to the Ohio State coaching staff.

 

I am NOT committed...I will make my commitment at the Under Armour All American Game @AllAmericaGame 💯🙏🏾

— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) August 29, 2017

 

4-star DE Tyreke Smith to take all 5 officials. USC in 2 weeks. https://t.co/iFT3ADtpCm @T_23_baller #BAMA #OSU #DUCKS #PSU #USC pic.twitter.com/6jrMilY7oo

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) September 6, 2017

 

USC official visit this weekend!!!!! Can't wait 💯❗️@CoachKU_USC pic.twitter.com/8VruDKxpBh

— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) September 11, 2017

 

He needs to stop guessing........

 

#FIGHTON ❤️💛✌️ pic.twitter.com/etOubbKKgw

— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) September 16, 2017

 

Cleveland Heights Top247 DE Tyreke Smith gives some highlights from his official to #USC over the weekend: https://t.co/sMtyShQIH8 #Trojans

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) September 19, 2017

 

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