Today we’re speaking with Devonta Smith, a 3-star prospect from Cincinnati who has just announced to the world his commitment to the Buckeyes. The three-star recruit is rated as the nation’s No. The numbers are more important than the positions for Kerry Coombs and the Buckeyes, and that’s why it’s not a matter of plugging in another cornerback or safety necessarily — even if Smith’s future more than likely was at corner. A Toledo, Ohio native, Jeremy has been in similar roles for elevenwarriors.com and Landof10.com and has been covering the Buckeyes for seven years. Lettermen Row is breaking it down. (Devonta Smith/Hudl). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. “It’s truly a blessing. Find out those answers and more in this special commitment edition of Birminology on Lettermen Row. Prefer video? I don’t know if anyone really knows how much getting this offer meant to me other than [teammate, cousin and Buckeyes commit] Jaylen Johnson. The decision of Cincinnati La Salle defensive back Devonta Smith isn’t exactly a surprise, especially considering how emotional he and his family were when the Buckeyes offered just four days ago. “I knew then it was special. There are a number of top-level options who have been priorities for the Buckeyes for months, even before Smith’s commitment. So the loss of Ohio’s No. (247Sports)247 Sports. Sign up for insight on the Buckeyes for $3.99 a month quickly by registering below with your phone number below, or text Doug directly at 614-350-3315. The unexpected recruiting dead period that began on Thursday has turned into an unexpectedly lively recruiting rush for Ohio State. You can also get your recruiting fix by subscribing to Talking Stuff: The Ohio State Recruiting Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher. The three-star recruit is rated as the nation’s No. We’re bringing it back. He is coming off of a junior season where he recorded 72 tackles and added six touchdowns playing wide receiver as well. He was the lowest-ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 for the Buckeyes, but his departure leaves a hole in the secondary for Kerry Coombs, who had made a solid connection with Smith leading up to his decision last month. Don’t expect to see Ohio State rushing into a replacement for Smith at this point. Smith gives the Buckeyes 12 commitments, including seven from Ohio, in their top-ranked recruiting class. DeVonta Smith NCAA Alabama (NCAA) Amite (HS) Pos WR Height 6-1 Weight 165 Evaluation Timeline Prospect Info High School Amite Home Town Amite, LA Exp 2017 - … Birminology shows who the young men being recruited by Ohio State truly are — by talking to them. This is great. Ohio State remains heavily involved in the recruitment of Clemson commit Jordan Hancock. Birm is Lettermen Row's Director of Recruiting and the site's primary Ohio State sports photographer. Where do the Buckeyes go from here? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). 428 overall player and No. What were the final questions that he and his mother had for Ryan Day before issuing a commitment? Ohio State landed commitment No. Jakailin Johnson, 4-star cornerback, commits to Ohio State, What Jakailin Johnson’s commitment means for Ohio State, Ohio State and Clemson final two for Troy Stellato, Kourt Williams wins Watkins Award as nation’s top African-American high school athlete, Buy Buckeyes gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids. 428 overall player and No. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Alabama, Notre Dame and Oregon are each expected to make themselves contenders for his next commitment but it appears the Crimson Tide are in the driver’s seat. 12 in the Class of 2021 with the addition of Devonta Smith. I’m truly at a loss for words. Devonta Smith decided to leave the top-ranked Ohio State recruiting class. DeVonta Smith - 4 Star Wide receiver for Alabama on BamaInsider Edit DeVonta Smith Wide Receiver Wide Receiver 6'1'' | 160 lbs CLASS OF 2017 Amite, LA … With Smith’s commitment, Ohio State is once again on pace to have a large haul at defensive back with Jaylen Johnson already committed and four-star Jakailin Johnson of St. Louis committing Sunday. Of course, some commitments are a bit easier to predict than others. Subscribe to cleveland.com. And now, two days after that, he shared his decision with the world. Follow Buckeyes football on YouTube with Lettermen Row. Learn about Devonta Smith and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. That list will naturally include 5-star Tony Grimes, but he’s making a decision in the near future and the Buckeyes are on the outside looking in as North Carolina and Georgia jockey back-and-forth to be his choice. Smith has had a pretty wild recruitment. “I cried today when [Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry] Coombs called me and offered.”. COLUMBUS — One of the players that kickstarted a remarkable recruiting run for Ohio State has had a change of heart: Devonta Smith has decommitted from the top-ranked class in the country. 32 cornerback in the class. Join the conversation below in the comments and sign up for Scarlet Sunrise, Lettermen Row’s morning newsletter that will get your day started with all the important Ohio State news you need to know. He is the second defensive back from the southern Ohio high school to commit to the Buckeyes, joining teammate and four-star safety Jaylen Johnson, who committed in January. Lettermen Row is here to help navigate the tumultuous roads by getting to the heart of the matter with the young football players themselves. The 3-star prospect, who verbally committed to the Buckeyes on March 16, reopened his recruitment and is no longer pledged to Ohio State. Birm is Lettermen Row's Director of Recruiting and the site's primary Ohio State sports photographer. Now that he’s committed to Ohio State, what role does Devonta Smith see himself playing as a recruiter for the Buckeyes? Devonta Smith of La Salle High Schools commits to Ohio State. The unexpected recruiting dead period that began on Thursday has turned into an unexpectedly lively recruiting rush for Ohio State. He recorded two game-winning catches as a freshman, including one in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, caught at least 40 passes as […] A source familiar with the decision-making process indicated the decision by the Cincinnati La Salle recruit was primarily about a concern that Ohio State had “too many defensive backs” in the Class of 2021. Learn about Devonta Smith and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. But he told Lettermen Row there was no reason to hold off when he knew that he wanted to join the Buckeyes all along. Recruiting has been heating up for Alabama football, and they just landed another big name. Ohio State likes the length and speed of Devonta Smith. Of course, some commitments are a bit easier to predict than others. Devonta Smith was the lowest-rated member of the Buckeyes top-ranked 2021 class. A source familiar with the decision-making process indicated the decision by the Cincinnati La Salle recruit was primarily about a concern that Ohio State had “too many defensive backs” in the Class of 2021. Ohio State football recruiting can be a wild ride full of twists and turns as recruits from all over the country maneuver their way to signing day. Keep journalists asking the hard questions. (Devonta Smith/Courtesy), Jaylen Johnson still working on recruiting pitch ahead of Buckeyes Bash, Analyzing impact as Jordan Hancock commits to Ohio State, Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes lose three-star commit from nation’s top-ranked class, What Devonta Smith decommitment means for Ohio State, Analyzing impact of Jakailin Johnson committing to Ohio State, Analyzing impact of Devonta Smith committing to Ohio State. Smith had originally planned to get back to Columbus and take a visit at Ohio State before committing to a college decision. Jaylen Johnson, who committed in January. He has accomplished a lot in three years, but has he saved his best work for this season? It appears to be that way for DeVonta Smith of Alabama football. Smith’s decommitment does take the Buckeyes under the 300-point threshold in the 247Sports.com rankings, but they’ll surpass that mark again as soon as the next addition to the class happens. Smith was expected to be on campus for an unofficial visit on March 28, but with all in-person recruiting on hold until April 15, that will certainly change. “My mom shed a tear,” Smith told Lettermen Row. Need more Ohio State recruiting #Stuff? The Buckeyes remain in striking position for the highest-ranked class in the history of modern recruiting. Last Updated: September 09, 2020 I cried today when [Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry] Coombs called me and offered.”. Devonta Smith is a versatile player who could line up at cornerback or safety, and that means replacing him isn’t exactly a black-and-white proposition for Ohio State. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). “I’m truly at a loss for words,” Smith said when he added his Ohio State offer. Two days after landing that offer, Smith privately committed to Ohio State. Today we’re speaking with Devonta Smith, a 3-star prospect from Cincinnati who has just announced to the world his commitment to the Buckeyes. Jakailin Johnson of St. Louis committing Sunday. My family is so excited. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second straight day, the Ohio State football program has landed a commitment from a defensive back, this time from Ohio native Devonta Smith of La Salle High School. A Toledo, Ohio native, Jeremy has been in similar roles for elevenwarriors.com and Landof10.com and has been covering the Buckeyes for seven years. After recently de-committing from Ohio State, 4-star cornerback Devonta … So the natural assumption is that the tires will be kicked or re-kicked on prospects who have already been mentioned for Ohio State in the past. Some nearby schools like Kentucky, Louisville, and Vandy liked what they … Ohio State has been very involved in the recruitment of Derrick Davis, a 4-star defensive back from Pennsylvania, and the decommitment of Smith could make the sell a little easier for the Buckeyes. But flipping a player from the Tigers isn’t ever an easy sell. (Devonta Smith/Hudl), ‘Buckeyes Bash’ helps cement bonds for tight-knit recruiting class, Buckeyes Bash primer, what to expect in big recruiting weekend, Talking Stuff: Jack Sawyer breaks down ‘Buckeyes Bash,’ Derrick Davis to visit, Ohio State battling for in-state lineman, extending new offers, Greg Studrawa using authentic, patient approach as recruiter, Ben Christman impact for Ohio State goes beyond recruiting rankings.