VT WR Grad Transfer Kaleb Smith Previews Notre Dame Official
Kaleb Smith doesn’t have a firm timeline for making a decision, but the Virginia Tech receiver grad transfer isn’t going to drag his feet.
“I’m not sure I have a timeline for it,” Smith told Irish Sports Daily. “I’m not trying to prolong it because I want to be somewhere come January.
“I’m not rushing it, but I’m not prolonging it either. Once I know, I’ll know.”
The process of coming to that final decision will enter a new phase this weekend, when Smith takes an official visit to Notre Dame.
Smith and Irish receivers coach Chansi Stuckey got in contact recently and not long afterward, were meeting in person.
“Coach Stuck reached out when he saw my name in the portal,” Smith said. “Having a big, veteran guy at receiver who can come in and contribute right away is a void they were looking for, trying to help replace the void that Michael Mayer is leaving. That’s kind of how it got started.
“Then, he flew down to Pittsburgh and we went out to breakfast one day. Me, him and my fiancé got to sit there and talk. There’s a lot of excitement on both sides and I’m just looking to get to campus.”
Smith’s interest in Notre Dame is multi-faceted.
“The level of competition that they’ll be playing every week is something I’m looking for,” he said. “I’m looking to go to that next level for this last year, somewhere I’ll be competing for the Playoffs. It stood out to me. And growing up, you know how big Notre Dame is.”
Smith is looking forward to meeting all of the coaches in South Bend.
“I’m definitely excited to meet with Coach (Marcus) Freeman and see if that’s somewhere I could see myself for the next year,” he said.
He has been in contact with a few other schools as well.
“UCLA has been the second behind Notre Dame in pursuing me,” he said. “I’m trying to schedule now when I can go out to the West Coast and see their campus. Georgia Tech has been pursuing me as well, so has USC.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder led the Hokies with 37 receptions for 674 yards and three touchdowns this past season after catching 20 for 260 yards and two touchdowns in 2021.
“Being part of winning teams and a winning culture is also important, playing in these big games that I’m looking for and also someone who can utilize my size at receiver,” he said. “I’m not one of those little guys who zig-zags across the field. Somebody who can utilize a big-body receiver to go up and have a solid quarterback who can get them the ball.”
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