Look for Smith to make an impact at OSUWhile the class of 2011 has a tremendous amount of talent, there may be no position group needed more in Columbus than the wide receivers. With Dane Sanzebacher moving on to bigger and better things as he tries to make the jump to the NFL and DeVier Posey having to sit out the first five games due to suspension, Stan Drayton will have his work cut out for him in trying to find pass catchers to put on the field.
Corey Brown, TY Williams, Chris Fields, James Jackson, Verlon Reed, and James Louis all return from last year's corps, but newcomers Evan Spencer and Devin Smith will certainly get a chance to jump into the mix as well. While Spencer is a Buckeye legacy who was well known around the OSU recruiting circles, Smith was a players who flew under the radar for a while before getting offered and committing shortly after to Jim Tressel and the Buckeye coaching staff.
A 6-3/190 product from legendary Massilon Washington, Smith has the size, speed, and focus to see the field from day one in Columbus. He is extremely elusive when running routes and can use his great athleticism and running ability to become the deep ball threat that the Buckeyes have been lacking the past few seasons. He is a great fit in this class, and besides getting to play with his cousin and fellow signee, Doran Grant, Smith has also built a nice rapport with some of the other members of the 2011 recruiting class, which should bode well for him when he reports to school in June.
We got a chance to sit down with one of the newest Buckeyes to get his feelings on what it's like to officially bleed Scarlet and Gray, why he chose to attend Ohio State, what he expects in year one on the field, and much more. Check out what Smith had to say after the jump.
Now that it's official, how does it feel to be a Buckeye?
It feels really great. It makes me feel like I'm even more a part of the Buckeye family.
Have you gotten to know any of the other players in the class? Do you know who you're rooming with yet? When are you coming down to Columbus?
I know most of the players in the class at this point. I'm going to try to room with Evan Spencer and I will be coming down to Columbus on June 19.
What will you major in at OSU?
I will be majoring in Sports Psychology.
With Dane Sanzebacher gone to graduation and DeVier Posey suspended for the beginning of the season, there appears to be opportunity at WR for playing time. What have the coaches told you about your opportunity to play as a true frosh and what are you doing to prepare for that?
The coaches have told me that I have the talent to play right away and I can help the team out. I'm working on my route running and improving on catching the ball right now in order to prepare for that opportunity to play.
Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
First and foremost for the chance to play for Jim Tressel and then also the tradition that comes with playing at Ohio State.
What does it mean to you to get to play with Terrelle Pryor this year and then to get to play with Braxton in the future?
It means a lot, as I look up to Terrelle Pryor. Braxton and I are good friends as well, so that's cool too.
Darrell Hazell is gone but Stan Drayton is the new WR coach. Have you gotten to know Coach Drayton at all? What is your opinion of him becoming your new position coach?
We've talked a few times on the phone and he's a great person and a great coach. I'm looking forward to being coached by him.
What are you looking forward to most about OSU other than football?
Just being around the campus, experiencing new things at OSU, and graduating.
Which team do you hate more-McKinley or Michigan?
Michigan.
If you can tell Buckeye Nation one thing, what would it be?
GO BUCKS!
