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4-star DL Nigel Smith locks in six official visits

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•05/09/23•

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(Credit: Ryan Snyder/Blue White Illustrated)

Melissa (Texas) four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith recently named his top eight schools, and on Tuesday, he announced that he has locked in six official visits.

Smith will start by heading to Rutgers (May 19-21), then in the month of June will be at Ohio State (June 2-4), Penn State (June 9-11), Oklahoma (June 16-18), and Texas A&M (June 23-25).

After the August dead period is over, he’ll head to Texas September 1-3. Due to an NCAA rule change that takes effect July 1, recruits are now able to take official visits to an unlimited number of schools, but can only visit each school once.

Smith ranks as the No. 88 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 11 defensive lineman and the No. 15 player in the state of Texas.

Nigel Smith II talks top schools

The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder broke down each of his eight top schools last week with On3’s Hayes Fawcett:

Penn State: “I have built such a good relationship with this coaching staff. They have made it clear I’m their guy and I feel they can develop me to get to the NFL.”

Ohio State: “Coach LJ gave me one of my first couple offers and has stayed on it for recruitment for over 2 years. Plus his history of putting people in the league is with the greats.

Oklahoma: “They have made it clear since that new staff got there that I was their guy and I was the first one they offered for DE. I have built a great relationship with so many of the coaches and they had a great history of putting guys into the league at Clemson. I also really like their SOUL program.”

Texas A&M: “I think I fit into their defensive scheme better than a lot of other schools on top of Coach Price being a great D-line coach. I love the school and their Aggie Network.”

Texas: “They are a school that is on the come-up now with the talent they have been getting in the portal and from commits. One of my best friends Trevor Goosby is going to play left tackle there, and he has been on it when it comes to recruiting me. Coach Davis has great energy at practice and has coaches in the NFL so knows what his guys need for the next level.”

Rutgers: “They have been recruiting since my freshman year and it was a crazy story on how they even found me. But I have some family down there, enjoy every time I’m in Jersey, and Coach Schiano has every connection to make you successful on top of the coaching.”

Georgia: “They have been dominating the past couple years obviously and I really think I fit into their defense well. Coach Scott talked about the guys he will be losing and how the 2024 class is important for the DE.”

Arkansas: “Coach Pittman is one of the most personable and down to earth coaches there is. Coach Adams has put together a really good D-line and I love the campus and school itself.”

Oklahoma trending heading into the summer

The Sooners are trending heavily to land him, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). It gives OU an 83.2 percent chance of securing his commitment, with Texas A&M, Ohio State and Texas trailing behind.

“Oklahoma has been in contention with Nigel Smith since Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch were recruiting him before they went to USC,” On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman said recently. “Brent Venables, Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates picked up right where they left off; Smith has been a frequent visitor at OU, along with Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Penn State. But he has always had a soft spot in his heart for Norman. He loves the defensive-minded approach by the Sooners’ staff and that has really resonated with him.”