In-depth on key Notre Dame targets Jacob and Jerod Smith

When it became evident that their twin sons would be college football recruits, Jerod Smith Sr. and his wife, Susan, they had three schools at the top of their list: Duke, Notre Dame and Virginia.

The education aspect, as well as having their kids on the East Coast, is important for them and has been well-communicated to their kids. And academics is a key factor for Jacob and Jerod Smith Jr., the twin brothers from Windsor (Conn.) The Loomis Chaffee School, as well. But they also needed to get out to colleges to experience all of what a university has to offer.

When it came to Notre Dame, Jerod and Jacob heard a ton about what the university is academically. But seeing it for themselves last July changed everything.

“When they went out there and met Coach Washington and Coach Freeman, their thoughts changed instantly,” Smith Sr. explained. “The boys love the school. They changed their opinion about the school; all they had heard before was me and my wife talk about 8,000 students and the small classrooms.”

Since the initial visit last summer, the Fighting Irish staff and the Smith twins have been keeping in consistent contact. Defensive line coach Al Washington talks with the boys about twice per week. Head coach Marcus Freeman speaks with them regularly as well.

The Smith family visited Notre Dame last weekend

It was the parents’ first recruiting trip at Notre Dame and the twins’ first since their experience last July. Jerod Sr. and Susan had more of a campus tour since it was their first time getting to campus, while the boys spent a lot of time hanging out with the Irish commits.  

“They really enjoyed being around the coaches and other recruits,” the elder Smith said.

“It’s strictly education with my wife. For me, I really like when the program is more than just a dog and pony show.”

Freeman has made an impact on the recruitment for the entire Smith family.

“I love him,” Smith Sr. said. “I’ve been around a lot of head coaches. When you’re with Coach Freeman, it’s very relaxed. He asks us questions and brought up a good point; he said if you’re coming here just for football, you’re wasting your time. He made that clear; it’s not just a football school. That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

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What’s next for the Smith twins?

“Package deals” don’t often happen in recruiting, but when you’re talking about twin brothers, it’s much more likely to occur. The Smith brothers definitely plan on attending the same college. Even though their father tells them to keep an open mind — considering that the same school might not fit both boys the best — his kids want to play ball together in college.

“They have made it clear to a few schools that they’re going to the same school,” Smith Sr. added.

Like is often the case with brothers, Jerod and Jacob don’t get along at times, but they always have each other’s back. When it comes to football, they’re in sync, though. Coming from a military family and currently attending boarding school in Connecticut, the boys have always been tied at the hip and don’t want that to change.

In terms of the recruiting process, the Smith twins have a long offer list and will only see that grow moving forward. Ohio State hasn’t offered yet but is showing interest. An offer from the Buckeyes could be impactful.

Notre Dame is considering the leader for the boys according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), but it’s still early in their process.

“They’re going to list their top 10 and will commit on their birthday, which is in August,” Smith Sr. said.

Jerod ranks as the No. 189 overall player and No. 16 defensive lineman per the On3 Consensus, while Jacob is the No. 105 prospect and No. 13 EDGE according to the same metric.