Ohio State landed four-star EDGE Wyatt Smith on Saturday, choosing the Buckeyes over finalists that included Indiana, Missouri and Notre Dame. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound pass rusher is ranked No. 79 nationally and No. 11 at EDGE.
Ohio State’s defense added another high-end prospect on Saturday as four-star EDGE Wyatt Smith committed to the Buckeyes, passing on finalists that included Indiana, Missouri and Notre Dame.
Smith, a top-100 national recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds as a pass rusher. He chose Ohio State over Indiana and Missouri, and the commitment put him into a recruiting class that now features 12 commitments for the 2027 cycle.
The Buckeyes’ pitch focused heavily on development and the day-to-day details of coaching, themes Smith repeatedly highlighted in his recruitment.. He said he committed to Ohio State because of “the development. their winning culture and the coaches. ” adding that he believes it offers “the best place for me to have a chance to compete for a national championship and to develop my skills.”
During his visit. Smith described a structured approach that began immediately. saying the trip included “a detailed look at the program” with meetings that didn’t skip anyone.. He said the coaches “went through every single player. what they needed to work on. ” and he credited that attention to detail with leaving a strong impression.
Smith also pointed to specific coaching instruction he received, including film work with Coach Johnson.. He explained that Coach Johnson “went over my film with me and showed me what I need to work on. ” and said the coaching covered “my stance. what to look for rushing the passer and how to play the run better.”
Alongside the coaching emphasis, his background and production helped define the appeal.. At the Rivals Camp in Miami earlier this year, he reportedly ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash while measuring around 240 pounds.. During his junior season at St.. Thomas Aquinas, Smith recorded 25 tackles and 13 sacks while competing against “some of the strongest high school competition in Florida.”
Smith’s football lineage adds another layer to his story. He is the son of former Missouri and NFL standout Justin Smith, a former top-five draft pick and four-time All-Pro defensive lineman.
A clear pattern runs through Smith’s own explanation of why he chose Ohio State: he repeatedly tied the decision to development and coaching specifics. from the visit that included meetings “with a prayer” and a full team review to the film session where Coach Johnson broke down his stance. rushing reads and run responsibilities.
Ohio State Wyatt Smith EDGE commitment 2027 recruiting class St. Thomas Aquinas Indiana Missouri Notre Dame