Ohio State Recruiting: Huge get for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes
Another outstanding player for Urban Meyer’s 2018 Ohio State recruiting class.
When wide receiver L’Christian (Blue) Smith committed to join the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class today, it was a huge get for the Buckeyes. The 6 ft., 205 pound Smith was one of the two wide receivers on Urban Meyer’s wish list in this year’s recruiting cycle.
Smith is ranked as the 4th best athlete and the No. 119 player in the country in the 247Sports Composite. His commitment solidified the No. 1 ranking of the already outstanding Ohio State recruiting class.
Check out Smith’s receiving totals the last two seasons as reported by 247Sports:
- 2015: 54 receptions, 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns
- 2016: 43 receptions, 736 yards and 9 touchdowns
Not too shabby.
This was a hard-fought win for Urban. Even though Smith plays for Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, he was seriously considering playing football, and possibly basketball, for Kentucky.
It was widely reported he loved the university and was fond of head coach Mark Stoops and his coaching staff. Also, coach Stoops was recruiting him solely as a wide receiver and evidently Smith could also try out for the basketball team as a walk on.
Yes, he is also a star basketball player. Will this big kid be able to go high in the air to catch a football as well as he can a round ball?
You may remember that safety Malik Hooker was an outstanding basketball player in high school. Hooker was adept at grabbing a football when it wasn’t thrown to him, so maybe Smith will be even better doing so when he is the target.
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Things changed during the last few months of Smith’s recruitment that swayed him towards playing for the Buckeyes. First, apparently he gave up the thought of playing two sports in college, realizing his path to the pros was on the gridiron and not the hardwood.
Second, the more he visited Columbus the more he felt comfortable there. There was just one last issue that needed addressed for him to play for his in-state school.
He had to be sure that Urban Meyer was recruiting him as a wide receiver. It was widely reported that during a visit to Columbus this summer, Smith and the Buckeye head coach had a meeting of the minds on the subject.
According to reports, coach Meyer said his plans were for Smith to play wide receiver. But if he continued to grow, tight end or h-back would be an option. That answer satisfied Smith and evidently that was what he needed to hear to join the Ohio State recruiting class.
Next: Tide-Bucks at Top, but 6 SEC Teams are Ranked?
L’Christian (Blue) Smith is another jewel for Urban Meyer in this recruiting cycle, and a bright one at that. Stay tuned because there will be more outstanding players joining the record-breaking 2018 Ohio State recruiting class.