GREEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — La Salle junior defensive back Devonta Smith verbally committed to Ohio State on Monday, according to Lancers coach Pat McLaughlin.
Smith, one of the state's top players in the 2021 class, had about 30 scholarship offers, including from schools such as University of Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Kentucky and others. Louisiana State University showed interest, too.
RELATED: Join the Cincinnati area high school sports Facebook group
Smith, who is 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, is the second La Salle player in the 2021 class to give the Buckeyes a verbal commitment. Junior safety Jaylen Johnsonverbally committed to Ohio State on Jan. 7.
Smith is a three-star recruit, according to 247 Sports. He is rated Ohio's No. 14 player overall in the 2021 class by the 247 Sports Composite and is rated the nation's No. 32 cornerback.
Ohio State offered Smith a scholarship last week.
"He can go play at the highest level and be developed on and off the field," McLaughlin said. "He will most likely play corner there."
McLaughlin said Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs had a significant impact on Smith's recruiting.
"He made the offer, then talked with Devonta regularly," McLaughlin said.
Smith, the GCL South all-purpose player of the year in 2019, had 38 tackles (27 solo), three interceptions and a fumble recovery last season, according to the conference website.
Smith, a Division II third-team all-state selection, also had 11 receptions for 271 yards and five touchdowns for the Lancers (13-2), who won the Division II state title.
"He's a big-time athlete on defense," ScoutingOhio.com director Mark Porter said. "He's just about better than every athlete he faces on offense, which makes the game easy for him. He has corner skills and safety size -- just the rare combination of elite ability."
La Salle will open the 2020 season at Lakota West in the second game of a home-and-home agreement that was agreed upon in September 2018.
