Top Penn State running back target Corey Smith sets decision date; will the Lions land him?
Penn State is one-for-one in the Class of 2024 when prospects from Waukesha, Wisc., Catholic Memorial choose their college. The Lions landed four-star On300 offensive tackle Donovan Harbour out of the school on Monday. Now, it’s hoping a teammate of his will pick its program, too.
Four-star running back Corey Smith will make his announcement next Friday. The junior will follow the same schedule as Harbour. That means he’ll likely stream his announcement on Instagram. The time and the location are the same: 3:50 p.m. ET inside of the high school’s gymnasium.
Smith is fresh off an unofficial visit to State College. It marked his second trip to town in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound running back enjoyed both stops in town. But, on the most recent one, he was able to experience Beaver Stadium with fans in the stands for the first time.
“Today was a great day,” Smith told BWI following the spring scrimmage.
“Great vibes , great team, great atmosphere all-around, specifically the players. They showed competitiveness during the spring game which was very entertaining.”
Smith is ranked as the No. 219 player overall in the Class of 2024, the No. 18 running back, and No. 3 player in Wisconsin by the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 is the only recruiting service that ranks him as a three-star. Rivals has the highest view of Smith. It calls him the No. 127 player in this cycle, No. 12 player at his position, and rates him as the top player in his home state.
Will Penn State land Corey Smith?
At the moment, all signs point to the answer to that question being yes. Powered by the pair of unofficial visits in addition to an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick from BWI publisher Sean Fitz for Smith to select the Lions, Penn State is the overwhelming favorite to land the running back. Others involved include Pitt, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame.
Lions’ Class of 2024 rundown
Penn State already has one running back in the Class of 2024. It’s top-100 talent and four-star Pittsburgh back Quinton Martin, of course. He and Smith, should the latter pick the Lions, would be a fantastic one-two punch for the program in this cycle and only add to the depth that is already in the room.
Here’s a full look at the Penn State Class of 2024 a week before Smith’s announcement:
April 18, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., four-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour.
April 15, 2023 — Reading, Pa., three-star offensive tackle Caleb Brewer.
Apr. 10, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., three-star cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter.
April 7, 2023 – Pittsburgh, Pa., four-star athlete Quinton Martin.
April 1, 2023 – Jacksonville, Fla., four-star cornerback Jon Mitchell.
March 25, 2023 – Westford, Mass., three-star tight end Luke Reynolds
March 3, 2023 – Philadelphia, Pa., three-star cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr.
Feb. 28, 2023 — Bloomfield Hills, Mich., three-star linebacker Kari Jackson
Jan. 17, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., four-star linebacker Anthony Speca
Jan. 29, 2022 — Erie, Pa., four-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins
