Smith couldnt wait to be a Buck
When it came time to make a final decision, Cincinnati Colerain offensive lineman Connor Smith couldn't wait. He said all along that he would make his decision on August 1, but he couldn't hold back any longer and broke his own announcement date with a big announcement that made the home-state fans extremely happy.
"I called the coaches at Ohio State right when I got back from church and told them that I wanted to be a Buckeye," said Smith, ranked by Riavls.com as the nation's No. 84 player and a four-star prospect.
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"I've been an Ohio State fan my entire life.
"Ohio State football is all that I can remember, going all the way back until I was 5-years old. I always pictured myself playing there, so when it came time to make my pick I followed my heart."
His heart was in Columbus, instead of in Gainesville, Fla.
Despite a strong late push by coach Urban Meyer the Gators finished runner up in the battle to land the outstanding line prospect.
"I really was impressed with coach Meyer and he's going to have that program right near the top quickly," Smith said. "I liked him and the coaches a lot, but it wasn't the right place for me. Ohio State is the right place and right fit."
Smith's decision continues the line of Buckeye stars in his family. His father, Joe Smith, played for the Buckeyes under coach Woody Hayes and Earl Bruce from 1979-82.
"He's gave me advice because he went through it, too," Smith said about his father's involvement in the recruiting process. "He knows a lot about the process and it has helped me. He would have supported me no matter where I went. He allowed me to come up with my own conclusions."
And the answer is and always was Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are getting an outstanding line prospect that probably should be ranked higher both in the national rankings and in the state of Ohio, where he's ranked as the No. 4 player in the state. He's a rangy tackle with a hard-nosed blocking style that never quits.
"That's just the way I play," Smith said.
"You can count on me doing that at Ohio State."
The home state fans are counting on it.