Top-100 DL Nigel Smith knows the contenders, moving toward a decision
MELISSA, Texas — Nigel Smith has been heavily recruited since his days as an underclassman at Melissa (Texas) High School. As his senior years moves closer and closer, the blue-chip DL can already see the finish line in sight.
Smith, the No. 11-rated DL in the On3 Industry Rankings for 2024, has official visits locked in for Ohio State (June 2-4), Penn State (June 9-11), Oklahoma (June 16-18), Texas A&M (June 23-25) and Texas Sept. 1-3).
A decision is expected on Sept. 8 when Melissa hosts their first game in the new Cardinals Stadium on campus for senior night.
“I wanted to take the time to pay attention to the teams that build a relationship with me, that were talking to me on a daily basis — and not just one coach; it’ll be the head coach, the position coach, the person who recruits my area. These are the teams that did a great job building that relationship with me and who I know will develop me the best way possible.”
“These schools got to me early and this is where I’ve wanted to take official visits to for the longest time,” he continued. “These were the best fits for me.”
Ohio State, Penn State kick off June official visits
Larry Johnson was among the first coaches to offer Smith a scholarship and since then, Ohio State’s famed defensive line coach has been giving the 6-foot-5, 265-pound hybrid defender tricks of the trade.
During Smith’s last trip to Columbus, he received Chase Young’s perspective of the program. He’s anxious to learn more in June.
“Coach (Jim) Knowles stopped by, Coach LJ watched a practice and was giving me tips, about working out, and he’s been my dude ever since I was going to camps and getting to watch practice film and go over drills with him,” Smith said. “He’s a coach who has helped develop my game tremendously. I fit in Coach Knowles’ defense very well, and when you talk about the development of great defensive ends and pass-rushers, they have proven they can do it with the Bosa Brothers and Chase Young.”
Penn State will get Smith back on campus a week later after a momentum-shifting visit to Happy Valley for the spring game.
“I love it down there,” Smith started. “I really like their scheme, their four-down front, and they’re really aggressive and like to attack and react. Coach (Manny) Diaz has those guys leading in many major categories like TFL and others for the D-line. Coach (Deion) Barnes, being that new DL coach, he’s playing a big role in those guys’ development there. He was a big, big, big key in their improvement and he played at Penn State; he knows the town, knows the city and what it takes to be great in Happy Valley, and Coach (James) Franklin is putting together a playoff-caliber team.”
Oklahoma, Texas A&M get Smith back on campus in June
Smith has been on campus in Norman more than any other else in his recruitment over the years, and that frequency has only picked up since the arrival of Brent Venables, Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis.
The On300 DL likened the coaching staff’s personalities to a puzzle.
“I think Coach V did a great job putting together that list,” Smith started. “Those guys fit together well — like a puzzle piece — with how their different energies mix. Not all coaches are hype; some are calmer and wiser, and it’s a good mix with Chavis and Bates. Chavis puts on cleats at practice and is a high, high, high energy guys and always fun. Bates always has the right things to say. He’s very wise and he puts together poems for the team and sends me a lot of them.”
“At Clemson, they were spitting out guys to the league. They recruited and developed them, and they’ve proven they can do that time and time again,” he added. “I think I’d fit in well with their personalities.”
The Aggies have been very consistent with Smith since this time last year. That’s included a string of visits for games and other junior days, which has amplified his interest in the in-state program.
“I’ve been there just as many times as I’ve been to Oklahoma,” he said. “I fit into the A&M scheme better than most schools. With the strongside end position, I love how they play it and how I fit into that defense. They have a great defense with Coach (DJ) Durkin and Coach (Terry) Price. I’ve watched them practice and scrimmage, and i love how he coaches. He wants his guys to play with energy, he gets on you and gets you to do it right, and the school itself is amazing with the Aggie Network.”
“They’re putting something together really well and they’ve made it clear that I’m a need for that end position,” Smith said. “They made it clear I could do very well at their school.”
Longhorns get Smith’s final official visit in September
Smith was in Austin when Texas nearly upended Alabama at home last fall, and he’ll be back on the Forty Acres in September for his final official visit.
Smith will also reveal his college commitment days after reconnecting with Bo Davis one last time.
“Coach Davis has been down here a couple of times and Trevor (Goosby) has been recruiting me since he committed,” he said. “They’v done a good job building a relationship with me. He (Davis) has been in the league, he’s coached in the league and knows what it takes to develop guys and get them to the next level. He’s spoken about his plan in a couple of years to get back to the league, and he’s always taking his guys. When he was with the Lions, he took guys he knew would fit in well with how he coaches, and I think I mix in well.”
“I watched his practice and I liked his style,” he added. “I feel like Texas, they’re on the come-up.”
Smith is the No. 89 overall player in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
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