2018 Cleveland Heights Four-Star Defensive End Tyreke Smith Includes Ohio State in Top 5

By Andrew Lind on June 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm
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Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith made headlines for his choice of apparel during Ohio State's one-day camp earlier this month. And while the responses to his message varied, all of Buckeye Nation can certainly get on board with the visor he wore for check-in this afternoon at The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon.

Shortly after he arrived, Smith announced his Top 5 schools on Twitter, listing Ohio State alongside Alabama, Oregon, Penn State and USC.

"The relationship I have with coach [Larry] Johnson and coach Meyer [stand out about the Buckeyes]," Smith told Eleven Warriors. "He's a great coach and a great person. We have a good relationship. That's my guy."

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Smith is considered the fourth-best weak-side defensive end and No. 107 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He had never played a down of high school football before last season, but the athleticism he showed on the basketball court caught the attention of a number of college coaches from across the country. He came onto Ohio State's radar during a one-day position camp last June, and the two sides started to build a relationship thereafter.

Smith attended two games last fall, including the Buckeyes' double-overtime win over Michigan. He finally earned an offer in late January and has been a regular on campus since, with the camp visit marking his fourth trip to Ohio State in as many months. 

Though he hasn't set a decision date, one is expected before the end of the summer. Smith plans to visit Los Angeles in the next few weeks before a potential return to Columbus for Friday Night Lights on July 21.

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