The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their college careers, as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent.
One of the changes in Ohio State's recruiting since Kevin Wilson arrived in Columbus has been the pursuit of taller, longer wide receivers.
In the 2017 circuit, the Buckeyes brought in Jaylen Harris, Trevon Grimes and Ellijah Gardiner, all of which stand 6-foot-3 or taller. Add in 2016 commit Binjimen Victor who checks in at 6-foot-4, the Buckeyes are clearly making a point to bring in longer targets for their quarterbacks.
The next receiver in that line of Buckeyes is 6-foot-6, 215-pound L'Christian "Blue" Smith, who chose Ohio State over Kentucky on Aug. 27 and signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.
Blessed to announce I have committed 110% to THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES....dyt stand up!!!!!#blockO #zone6 pic.twitter.com/UbbZuvTz15
— BLUE (@bluesmith_) August 27, 2017
At the time of his commitment, Smith told Eleven Warriors' Andrew Lind that he chose Ohio State because of Urban Meyer's reputation as someone who develops talent.
"The legacy coach Meyer has going at Ohio State is unbelievable," Smith said. "I wanna be a part of greatness, and he's the best. He cares about me more than just football, and I love that. I can't wait to put on the Scarlet and Gray."
The Smith File
- Class: 2018
- Size: 6-foot-5, 198 pounds
- Pos: WR
- School: Wayne (Huber Heights, OH)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 5 (ATH)
Smith was a multi-sport athlete in high school and had multiple Div. I offers to play both football and basketball.
Prior to his junior season of high school, Smith was asked at The Opening in 2016 about the prospect of playing both sports in college, an offer he had from the University of Kentucky. He said while the opportunity intrigued him, he worried about the toll it would take on his body.
“I’ve thought about [playing both], but there’s pros and cons to it,” Smith said in May of 2016. “I love both sports and I would love to play, but that’s a lot of wear and tear on my body especially if I’m trying to go to the next level.
“It’s a lot of thinking and I’m not trying to rush it since I’m only a sophomore.”
- Two Sport Star?: Could Huber Heights Wayne's L'Christian Smith Play Basketball, Football in College?
With Smith's size, there is a chance he could bump inside and lineup as a tight end for Ohio State once he arrives on campus. That all depends on what his body type is however when the Buckeye coaching staff gets their hands on him.
Smith said before committing to Ohio State that Meyer made his plan for Smith very clear in the recruitment process.
"When I went up there, [Meyer] just let me know that it’s wide receiver — that’s what we want to bring you here for," Smith said. "It's all about development. If I get taller and gain a few pounds, then I could become a tight end. You never know. [Meyer] gave me two plans. So if I stay this size, I’m a wide receiver. If I get bigger, I’m a tight end. That’s pretty much what he told me."
Should receiver be the move for Smith, the Huber Heights High School product has experience playing receiver in Ohio Stadium. As a sophomore with Huber Heights, Smith caught three passes for 114 yards – including a 70-yard touchdown – in a 45-35 loss to St. Edward's High School in the 2015 Div. I state title game.
In addition to his on the field efforts, Smith is making an impact off the field, with his Blue5Print9 Foundation. The foundation has already donated shoe-wear to athletes in the Dayton area, and Smith is hoping his platform with Ohio State will help grow the foundation.
