Top-50 EDGE Jared Smith locks in official visit to USC

Hoover (Ala.) Thompson four-star EDGE Jared Smith has made his interest in USC apparent. After making his way out to California in February, the elite prospect confirmed he’ll be returning this summer.

Smith will take an official visit to see the Trojans once more on the weekend of June 21, he confirmed via social media on Friday. He has also locked in OVs to see Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

USC is competing with some heavy-hitters in Smith’s neck of the woods down south, but the new Big Ten program looks to be a proper contender in his recruitment. Lincoln Riley and Co. are working hard to land the 6-foot-6, 235-pounder.

“It was amazing to get out there,” Smith told On3 about his February visit to USC. “The staff made me feel special the entire visit. They all knew me, they showed me around and it was a great experience overall. USC made a great first impression and I will definitely be back.

“I talked ball with Coach Henny (Eric Henderson) and I learned a lot from him. He is coming from the NFL, he coaches Aaron Donald and he is the best to do it. We talked about how he strives for the best, how he pulls the best out of his guys and he was really impressive. Coach Henny is a guy that really knows what he is talking about and I had a great time with him.”

Smith told On3 that he is currently aiming to commit in July or August, meaning the summer OVs could be the final chance to make a lasting impression ahead of a decision. “The most important thing for me is that home feeling. Relationships really matter to me, so that will be a big factor moving forward,” Smith said.

He is the No. 47 overall prospect and No. 5 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player in Alabama.

Smith details interest in other contenders

South Carolina: “I like the people at South Carolina. Coach Shane Beamer and the staff has good energy, they are fun to talk to and I had a good visit up there,” Smith said in January.

Georgia: “The standing is good with Georgia,” Smith told DawgsHQ. “I’ve been talking with Coach [Chidera] Diribe a lot and getting the home feeling from him. They’re very consistent. They want me to stay hungry, and they want me at the G. Why not commit?

“They get people to the league. That’s the end goal right? They send people to the league, so why not go to Georgia? They win National Championships, so why not?

Tennessee: “Coach Garner and Coach Chop are my best relationships there,” Smith told VolQuest.com. “They are both old-school type guys. They just got Jordan Ross there, and I know him from Vestavia, so he is a really good guy. Just the home feeling those guys bring, and the way they communicate with me every single day.

“I love the way they are trying to get guys in there that can rush the passer. That is something they think I am good at, so if I was to go there, just getting after it and rushing the passer would be nice.”