Receiver from Ohio commits for 2018

Receiver L’Christian “Blue” Smith of Wayne High School in Huber Heights became the 17th member of the Ohio State 2018 recruiting class on Sunday.

The four-star prospect, considered the fourth best “athlete” nationally according to the 247sports composite, made his commitment known as his team prepared to open the season with a game at Pine-Richland, Pennsylvania, on ESPN.

“I can’t explain it; anybody that hasn’t been here, if you come up here you’ll understand why it’s the place to be,” Smith said after attending a camp at OSU earlier in the summer.

He said another of the major lures is the OSU coaching staff, headlined by Urban Meyer but including offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, both former head coaches, and receivers coach Zach Smith, who has had six receivers taken in the past three NFL drafts.

“They’re experienced and they win,” Smith said of the coaches. “That’s what everyone wants to do, we want to win. I want to play for championships. I want to play the best competition that there is. … You’ve got experienced guys, you’ve got former head coaches on your coaching staff, you’re bound for success.”

At 6 feet 5, 215 pounds, there was speculation that he would end up as a tight end in college. That’s when he opted to take Meyer at his word.

“I had a meeting with coach Meyer and he told me straight up: ‘Wide receiver, that’s what we want you to play here,’” Smith said.