07-03-2009, 07:09 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
Hawks RB commits to Ohio State
Smith said Buckeyes pursued him most
Bryan PaytonThe Journal Gazette
Smith
Harding running back Rod Smith knows when he?s wanted. He also knows where he fits best.
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-3, 217-pound senior orally committed to play for Ohio State in 2010 over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue and Tennessee. The decision came during an unofficial visit to Columbus, where Smith watched a summer workout and met with head coach Jim Tressel and running backs coach Dick Tressel.
?When I went down, I felt it was time for me to commit after I got done hanging out with the players and everything,? Smith said. ?I?ve been conversing with the coaches for a long time. We?ve got great chemistry with each other. I know what they expect from me, and I know that will be a perfect fit for me.?
Smith?s father Roger Smith accompanied him during the visit.
?They?re an established team,? Roger Smith said. ?He?ll get a good workout not only on the field, but he?ll have good academics as well, which is the most important thing. He has a good chance to fulfill his dreams.?
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Hawks RB commits to Ohio State | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Quote:
Posted on Fri. Jul. 03, 2009
Smith to play for Buckeyes
Harding football star made a verbal commitment to Ohio State last week.
By Nick West
of The News-Sentinel
The Roderick Smith file
School: Harding, 2010
Height/weight: 6-3, 220
Position: Running back/safety
Season-by-season statistics
Freshman: 15 games, 270 carries-1,800 yards-15 TD
Sophomore: 10, 209-1,285-14
Junior: 11, 230-1,685-15
Totals: 36, 709-4,770-44
Owns: Career and single-game school rushing records
Needs: 559 yards for SAC record, 2,534 for all-time northeast Indiana, 2,791 for state
Harding High School running back Roderick Smith surprised the Ohio State coaching staff during Wednesday?s visit to the campus in Columbus, Ohio, when he verbally committed to play for the university.
Smith, who will be a senior, said Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel wasn?t expecting a commitment so soon, but he got one.
?I knew I was going to tell them when I first got there,? Smith said. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder chose Ohio State over Michigan State, which he seriously considered.
?I just like the coaching staff, they?re good,? Smith said. ?I got a chance to hang out with some of the players. They are just very good to be around and to be with.?
Smith has rushed for 4,770 yards and 44 touchdowns in 36 career games. He owns the school record for career rushing yards and rushing yards in a game (300), and needs 559 yards to break Ray Byers? (Wayne, 2008) Summit Athletic Conference mark of 5,328.
Ohio State has been hot on Smith since the summer before his freshman season when he competed in a 7-on-7 camp on campus. The school offered him a scholarship in March after Smith showed academic progress, including qualifying scores on his SATs.
He was suspended a few basketball games during his sophomore season because of grades. His football coach, Sherwood Haydock, said Smith?s maturity has strengthened his focus on academics over the past 18 months.
?Everything is going great,? Smith said about his grades. ?I turned things around. I?m doing good in grades, and the grade situation won?t be a problem.?
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Smith to play for Buckeyes | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
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