2019 Four-Star DT Mazi Smith Impressed Notre Dame's Domination

2019 East Kentwood (Mich.) defensive tackle Mazi Smith‍ is not a stranger to Notre Dame, but the four-star prospect didn’t expect to see what he saw on Saturday night. The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder witnessed the Irish run away from USC 49-14. 

“It was great,” Smith told Irish Sports Daily. “My mom brought one of her friends, and I got to sit with the coaches to hear about the school. I got to see them play really well against USC. 

“The fans were going crazy every time they scored a touchdown. Watching them get stops on defense was amazing. They dominated another Top 20 team. It was a great experience to see them do that at home.”

A win is always good on a big recruiting weekend, but blowing out a nationally ranked rival speaks volumes.

“It matters,” stated Smith. “When I see go out and dominant with the players they have, it makes me think about putting myself in that position. I want to prove yourself. I want to be part of a program that’s dominating.

“My goal is to be the most dominant defensive tackle at whatever level I am at. You can’t be a dominant defensive tackle if you don’t play for a dominant team.” 

Smith also got to reconnect with defensive line coach Mike Elston. The two have developed a very close relationship over the last six months, and it’s only getting stronger by the day.

“Every time I come to Notre Dame, I get to see him,” Smith explained. “He is helping me through this process. He has said he doesn’t just want to talk to me if I commit, but he wants me to be able to ask him anything. He wants me to ask him questions about the process and help me through it. 

“He wants me to make the best decision for me. Of course, he feels the best decision for me is Notre Dame because I fit the profile. I think I fit the profile too, but like every other recruit, I have to visit the schools I am interested in.”

2019 Notre Dame defensive line commit Jacob Lacey‍ was also in town, and it’s another familiar face for Smith to see. Lacey hasn’t been bashful about wanting to bring in another big-time interior prospect to play next to him, and Smith would fall under that category. 

“I got to see him and some of the other defensive linemen that were committed,” Smith said. “He’s cool. I plan on building a relationship with him.”

As for his recruitment, Smith will head to a few more schools this fall, but then he will start to narrow things down. Smith is also planning to be an early enrollee, so his decision timeline is a little sooner than first thought. 

“I’m going to take a few more visits before the season is over,” said Smith. “I’m going to start narrowing down my decision. I’m not going to make my decision soon, but I am going to narrow it to a Top 3 or Top 5. 

“If I want to leave school early next year, I need to narrow it down, and I would only be in school for a semester next year. I don’t know if I will release it. I’m not big on Twitter. I only go on there to post offers when my coach tells me to.”