Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith made headlines for his choice of apparel during Ohio State's one-day camp earlier this month. And while the responses to his message varied, all of Buckeye Nation can certainly get on board with the visor he wore for check-in this afternoon at The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon.
Top247 DE Tyreke Smith has arrived at @TheOpening in #Buckeyes gear: https://t.co/u6BTmc1iOn pic.twitter.com/lhFw2cKmk7
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) June 30, 2017
Shortly after he arrived, Smith announced his Top 5 schools on Twitter, listing Ohio State alongside Alabama, Oregon, Penn State and USC.
Top five God is great!!!! Shoutout @Parker_Kirkmyer @SWiltfong247 @TomVH pic.twitter.com/4hOTCv1n7H
— Tyreke Smith (@T_23_baller) June 30, 2017
"The relationship I have with coach [Larry] Johnson and coach Meyer [stand out about the Buckeyes]," Smith told Eleven Warriors. "He's a great coach and a great person. We have a good relationship. That's my guy."
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Smith is considered the fourth-best weak-side defensive end and No. 107 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He had never played a down of high school football before last season, but the athleticism he showed on the basketball court caught the attention of a number of college coaches from across the country. He came onto Ohio State's radar during a one-day position camp last June, and the two sides started to build a relationship thereafter.
Smith attended two games last fall, including the Buckeyes' double-overtime win over Michigan. He finally earned an offer in late January and has been a regular on campus since, with the camp visit marking his fourth trip to Ohio State in as many months.
Though he hasn't set a decision date, one is expected before the end of the summer. Smith plans to visit Los Angeles in the next few weeks before a potential return to Columbus for Friday Night Lights on July 21.
