2026 CB Chaston Smith Ready To See Notre Dame
Chaston Smith feels like he’s nearing the end of his recruitment, which is why reaching out to Mike Mickens was so important to the 2026 Tennessee cornerback.
“I texted Coach Mickens and let him know, before I commit, I want to go see what Notre Dame is all about,” Smith tells Irish Sports Daily.
The McCallie School standout is now set to do just that when he travels to South Bend this weekend to see the Irish host Florida State.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder has a bevy of scholarship offers, but he’s had his eye on the Irish since being offered back in March.
“Just the reputation and the way they have just been continuous in recruiting me and talking to me,” Smith says. “I just felt like I needed to go visit and take a look at it.”
Mickens has been leading the charge for the Irish, imploring Smith to come check out Notre Dame.
“He's a great person to listen and talk to,” Smith says of Mickens. “You can learn a lot from Coach Mickens. You can tell he really means everything he says and it's more of a family-type environment.”
Smith will be looking to see what Notre Dame looks like in action this Saturday.
“Just the way how the DBs play to see if I fit the scheme and the defense and all that,” Smith says of what he’ll be watching.
He’s already seen the Irish in action once, in College Station for the opener against Texas A&M.
“It was great,” says Smith. “The first game of the year, College GameDay, it was a great atmosphere.
“That was a great win. I watch a lot of Benjamin Morrison tape. I try to imitate his game as much as possible to relate it to mine.”
Smith visited Clemson last weekend and confirmed the Tigers are his current leader, although he has the visit to Notre Dame this weekend and a return trip to Texas A&M at the end of the month.
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Columbia Navy/Green Notre Dame Fighting Irish Flanker III Fleece Team Full-Zip Jacket
