Four-star Ohio State receiver commit L'Christian "Blue" Smith (247Sports).
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State is expected to sign four-star receiver L'Christian Smith during the early signing period for the 2018 recruiting class from Dec. 20-22. Here's an in-depth look at this member of the Buckeyes' recruiting class.
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com
L'Christian "Blue" Smith
School: Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio).
Position: Receiver.
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 205 pounds.
247Sports rating: Smith is a four-star prospect rated the No. 5 athlete and the No. 120 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite ratings.
Other offers: Kentucky, Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, Cincinnati and others.
What's his deal?
Blue Smith was the rare kind of in-state prospect that truly had Ohio State fans guessing about his commitment through the summer. Kentucky was a real threat to steal him from the Buckeyes.
Smith always talked about two things when he got down to his two finalists: The family atmosphere at Kentucky, and the business-first attitude at Ohio State. Business won out when Smith picked the Buckeyes on Aug. 27 ahead of a nationally-televised game on ESPN.
There seemed to be a hang up with Ohio State early in his recruitment, with many telling him that the Buckeyes would ultimately move him to tight end. Smith took exception to the idea that he couldn't play receiver in college, and Kentucky pushed the receiver angle hard. But after conversation with Urban Meyer (and some acceptance that maybe tight end is in his future), Smith went with the Buckeyes.
How he fits into Ohio State's plans
Smith will get a crack at receiver first, and he could very well stick there. If he does, then he's physically different from any other receiver Ohio State has had under Meyer. They haven't had a player this big who can move the way Smith can. Which is why the tight end talk followed him throughout his recruitment, and why recruiting services have him listed as an athlete, and not a receiver.
That 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame is going to change while Smith is in college. So tight end could certainly be in his future. While camping at Ohio State this summer, Smith seemed to change his tone on a potential future position switch after a conversation with Meyer.
"When I went up there he just let me know that it's wide receiver and that's what they want to bring me here for," Smith said. "It's all about development. Lets say I get taller or gain a few pounds then I could become a tight end. You never know. He gave me two plans. If I stay this size, I'm a wide receiver. That's what he told me."
So Ohio State's exact plan for Smith is still a bit up in the air. Just know that it involves him being a real threat -- whether at tight end or receiver -- in the passing game down the line.
Projections for 2018
Ohio State's status at both receiver and tight end is a bit dicey. Smith won't be big enough to be a real tight end option next year. But he could be forced into some early receiver work depending on what happens with some of the Buckeyes' draft-eligible players.
Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill are all draft-eligible. They also all have at least one year of eligibility left. It's also unclear what will happen with freshman receiver Trevon Grimes, who has been away from the team for most of the year dealing with a family issue in Florida. He could opt to transfer closer to home. That combined with some draft departures could leave an opening for a young player to emerge.
Smith is one of two receiver commitments in the class as of this profile being posted, joining four-star prospect Kamryn Babb. With Babb coming off a significant knee injury, Smith could be the first freshman in line for playing time at receiver in 2018.
Read more about Smith
From cleveland.com
• What kept Smith thinking Ohio Sate, and kept Kentucky from pulling the upset
• The visit that changed things for the Buckeyes
• The tight end message Smith wanted fans to hear
Ohio State's 2018 recruiting class
• See Ohio State's entire 2018 recruiting class here
More National Signing Day profiles
• Taron Vincent, 5-star defensive tackle
• Max Wray, 4-star offensive tackle
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