South Carolina’s No. 1 prospect to trim list: Will Gamecocks make the cut?
June 21, 2016
OrTre Smith, the top ranked prospect in the state of South Carolina, will release a list of top schools on Wednesday.
After a run of visits to South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina, Phil Kornblut of The State caught up with the 4-star athlete from Wando High School (Mount Pleasant, S.C.).
Tashia Green, Smith’s mother, said he likes “something different about every school.”
“He likes all of the coaches. Now they are going to have to work hard and he’s going to have to work hard to see who builds that better relationship,” she said. “He’s told the coaches, ‘It’s in my gut. When my gut tells me this is where I need to be, then this is where I need to be.’
”
South Carolina’s consistent pursuit is believed to have the Gamecocks in strong position for the No. 1 overall prospect in the state. Will Muschamp’s emphasis on recruiting in-state prospects could pay dividends. Smith, who measured at 6-foot-3.5, 217 pounds earlier this spring at The Opening in Charlotte, would provide size to a wide receiver corps that’s in need of more big bodies.
Exactly how it all plays out remains to be seen.
Clemson was once viewed as the runaway favorite. In addition to their run of success at the wide receiver position, Smith’s mom played volleyball at the school. However, the door was left open for others when the Tigers took their foot off the gas.
That was a topic of conversation during last week’s visit with coach Dabo Swinney.
“We talked with Dabo for about an hour and 15 minutes, talking about where we started in recruiting to where we are now,” Green said. “Everyone knows that we felt that Clemson had kind of slacked off on OrTre for a good bit, and they were able to explain things and also be more apologetic about what happened because they know there was a lack of communication at some point.”
Smith, who’s expected to announce his commitment on Sept. 11, is ranked the No. 3 athlete in the country.
SECCOUNTRY
June 21, 2016
OrTre Smith, the top ranked prospect in the state of South Carolina, will release a list of top schools on Wednesday.
After a run of visits to South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina, Phil Kornblut of The State caught up with the 4-star athlete from Wando High School (Mount Pleasant, S.C.).
Tashia Green, Smith’s mother, said he likes “something different about every school.”
“He likes all of the coaches. Now they are going to have to work hard and he’s going to have to work hard to see who builds that better relationship,” she said. “He’s told the coaches, ‘It’s in my gut. When my gut tells me this is where I need to be, then this is where I need to be.’
”
South Carolina’s consistent pursuit is believed to have the Gamecocks in strong position for the No. 1 overall prospect in the state. Will Muschamp’s emphasis on recruiting in-state prospects could pay dividends. Smith, who measured at 6-foot-3.5, 217 pounds earlier this spring at The Opening in Charlotte, would provide size to a wide receiver corps that’s in need of more big bodies.
Exactly how it all plays out remains to be seen.
Clemson was once viewed as the runaway favorite. In addition to their run of success at the wide receiver position, Smith’s mom played volleyball at the school. However, the door was left open for others when the Tigers took their foot off the gas.
That was a topic of conversation during last week’s visit with coach Dabo Swinney.
“We talked with Dabo for about an hour and 15 minutes, talking about where we started in recruiting to where we are now,” Green said. “Everyone knows that we felt that Clemson had kind of slacked off on OrTre for a good bit, and they were able to explain things and also be more apologetic about what happened because they know there was a lack of communication at some point.”
Smith, who’s expected to announce his commitment on Sept. 11, is ranked the No. 3 athlete in the country.
SECCOUNTRY
