Ohio State legacy Will Smith Jr. commits to Buckeyes

On3 imageby:Jeremy Birmingham01/23/22

Birm

COLUMBUS — When Ohio State offered legacy recruit Will Smith Jr. last week, a relatively quick college decision became the expectation.

On Saturday, that became a reality for Smith because the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive tackle believes Ryan Day, Larry Johnson and the rest of the Ohio State staff are believers in him — not just his namesake.

“That was important to me,” Will Smith told Lettermen Row on Saturday. “The coaches made it clear to me that they gave me the offer because of me and my football ability and where they see me ending up. I appreciate and understand the significance of my dad’s legacy but I really wanted to know that they believe in me as a football player.

“That was really important. And they made that clear.”

And that’s why he thrilled the coaches with his commitment on Saturday.

“I spoke with [Ryan] Day and [Larry] Johnson,” Smith said. “They were both really really excited. It’s kind of a blur honestly. But they were really excited and happy.

“It feels really good to know that’s where I am going to be at the end of my high school career and that I’m going to be a Buckeye. I know I’m going to get the best possible coaching I can.”

Smith made clear he does understand the importance of being an early commitment for Ohio State. That’s why his Saturday visit happened and why he pledged to the Buckeyes before leaving campus. He wanted to spend a little more time with the coaches in Columbus to make sure it was the right fit for him. Even if everyone thought he’d picked Ohio State, he still had to be sure of it himself. Smith wasn’t really expected the Buckeyes to offer this early and so the thought of ending his recruitment this soon wasn’t really in his mind.

“Before I got the offer I was really focused on the schools I had offers from and I didn’t really know exactly how I would feel until the offer [from the Buckeyes] actually came,” he said. “And then it became real.

“I wanted to get back for a visit and spend more time with the coaches just to get all the information I needed. I talked through every possible scenario with my mom and they all ended with me choosing Ohio State. Then after the [Saturday] visit I just knew it was home. Spending more time with [Ryan] Day, Coach [Larry] Johnson, and [defensive coordinator Jim] Knowles. I just really want to play for them. I really want to learn from them.”

And now Will Smith Jr. will play for Ohio State. He felt at home being at home. He also knows that his name will carry huge expectations for those who remember his father. The weight of those expectations are just fuel for his fire.

“This definitely motivates me,” Smith said. “I’m going to continue to work hard in the off-season preparing for my senior year. I’ll be in the weight room and outside training, spending time watching film.

“It’s just about doing all the extra things I can do to have a great year with the [Dublin Coffman] Rocks and get to the best place possible going into college.”

Will Smith Jr. is commitment No. 4 for Ohio State in the Class of 2023. He’s the first defensive verbal from Ohio in that cycle.

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