Notre Dame Football Recruiting
Update: 2018 DE Tyreke Smith
April 11, 2017
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2018 Cleveland Heights (Ohio) defensive end Tyreke Smith has the whole country after him. The four-star prospect holds offers from Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, UCLA, and USC to name just a few.
“I am trying to develop as many relationships as I can with the coaches I am speaking to,” Smith said on Sunday.
Ohio State has made a move with the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder recently as the Buckeyes came through with an offer in late January.
“It’s changed a lot,” Smith said of his relationship with the home state school. “I didn’t know if I was going to get offered and I didn’t know how they felt about me. They definitely have put the full-court press on me. They have been talking to me almost every day.
“Coach Alford and I talk multiple times a day. Coach Meyer texts me too. It’s crazy.”
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has also impressed the Cleveland native.
“I have a great relationship with Coach Johnson,” stated Smith. “We have had a sit-down conversation of about 40 minutes. We broke down my film, and he told me some key pointers from my film I can fix. It definitely means a lot to me.
“I am going to be out at Ohio State for the Spring Game. It’s two hours away from me.”
While the Buckeyes hold a few advantages, they aren’t running away with his recruitment just yet.
“Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Penn State I am in contact with a lot,” explained Smith. “I don’t have a top list right now, but those schools have been showing a lot of love.”
The Crimson Tide have made a big move in Ohio in recent years, as Alabama is coming to the Midwest for more offers each year. Smith believes the offer is a reflection of his talent and represents a statement from the Alabama staff.
“They are definitely taking off in Ohio when it comes to recruiting,” Smith stated. “Ohio is a top state for football. The Alabama offer competes with Ohio State, and they are almost the No. 1 school each year.
“That offer means a lot for me. It says a lot because they came all the way up out here to recruit me. It tells me I am doing well at what I am doing.”
Notre Dame is also a school working hard to get Smith back on campus. Smith visited South Bend for the Michigan State game but has also had plans fall through on a few visits, including this past weekend.
“We were supposed to get out to Notre Dame on Saturday,” explained Smith. “I was trying to get out the next week, but I can’t because they are gone. I will get out there two weeks from now. If not, I am going to get out to Notre Dame because they have shown a lot of love.”
It’s not a surprise Smith has consistently heard from Notre Dame ace recruiter, 2018 running back commit Markese Stepp.
“Markese, man,” laughed Smith. “Stepp has been doing a lot. I like that because it shows they have a system and guys are buying into it. It’s helping.”
When it comes to his relationship with the staff, Smith is getting to know defensive coordinator Mike Elko and company better throughout his process.
“It’s getting better and better every day,” Smith said. “We talk to each other a lot and almost every day. Every time we text, or I call them, it’s getting better. The fans are showing so much love, and that means a lot to me. I want to get up there again to see the campus.
“I saw the campus when I went up there in the fall, but I want to see more of the campus. I want to learn more about the education, and that’s a key part of my decision. I just want to develop a better relationship. Face-to-face is different than the phone.”
Elko’s message is pretty simple. He wants to coach the talented pass rusher.
“He says I will fit in great with their program and what I am doing is really good,” said Smith. “He likes my game, and he tells me to keep working. He really wants me to visit really bad.”
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“I am trying to develop as many relationships as I can with the coaches I am speaking to,” Smith said on Sunday.
Ohio State has made a move with the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder recently as the Buckeyes came through with an offer in late January.
“It’s changed a lot,” Smith said of his relationship with the home state school. “I didn’t know if I was going to get offered and I didn’t know how they felt about me. They definitely have put the full-court press on me. They have been talking to me almost every day.
“Coach Alford and I talk multiple times a day. Coach Meyer texts me too. It’s crazy.”
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has also impressed the Cleveland native.
“I have a great relationship with Coach Johnson,” stated Smith. “We have had a sit-down conversation of about 40 minutes. We broke down my film, and he told me some key pointers from my film I can fix. It definitely means a lot to me.
“I am going to be out at Ohio State for the Spring Game. It’s two hours away from me.”
While the Buckeyes hold a few advantages, they aren’t running away with his recruitment just yet.
“Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Penn State I am in contact with a lot,” explained Smith. “I don’t have a top list right now, but those schools have been showing a lot of love.”
The Crimson Tide have made a big move in Ohio in recent years, as Alabama is coming to the Midwest for more offers each year. Smith believes the offer is a reflection of his talent and represents a statement from the Alabama staff.
“They are definitely taking off in Ohio when it comes to recruiting,” Smith stated. “Ohio is a top state for football. The Alabama offer competes with Ohio State, and they are almost the No. 1 school each year.
“That offer means a lot for me. It says a lot because they came all the way up out here to recruit me. It tells me I am doing well at what I am doing.”
Notre Dame is also a school working hard to get Smith back on campus. Smith visited South Bend for the Michigan State game but has also had plans fall through on a few visits, including this past weekend.
“We were supposed to get out to Notre Dame on Saturday,” explained Smith. “I was trying to get out the next week, but I can’t because they are gone. I will get out there two weeks from now. If not, I am going to get out to Notre Dame because they have shown a lot of love.”
It’s not a surprise Smith has consistently heard from Notre Dame ace recruiter, 2018 running back commit Markese Stepp.
“Markese, man,” laughed Smith. “Stepp has been doing a lot. I like that because it shows they have a system and guys are buying into it. It’s helping.”
When it comes to his relationship with the staff, Smith is getting to know defensive coordinator Mike Elko and company better throughout his process.
“It’s getting better and better every day,” Smith said. “We talk to each other a lot and almost every day. Every time we text, or I call them, it’s getting better. The fans are showing so much love, and that means a lot to me. I want to get up there again to see the campus.
“I saw the campus when I went up there in the fall, but I want to see more of the campus. I want to learn more about the education, and that’s a key part of my decision. I just want to develop a better relationship. Face-to-face is different than the phone.”
Elko’s message is pretty simple. He wants to coach the talented pass rusher.
“He says I will fit in great with their program and what I am doing is really good,” said Smith. “He likes my game, and he tells me to keep working. He really wants me to visit really bad.”
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