High school football: Springfield’s Smoot among many with college decisions coming

The most notable local player still undecided is Springfield quarterback Te’Sean Smoot.

He has narrowed his college choices to five — Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, North Carolina A&T, Ohio University and Tennessee Martin — and plans to announce his decision Wednesday in a ceremony at SHS.

That will end a process that has had its ups and downs for the player who led the Wildcats to the state championship game last fall, was the co-Offensive Player of the Year in Division I and runner-up for Ohio’s Mr. Football award.

“It was good to see different campuses but kinda stressful weighing options and trying to find the best fit,” Smoot said Friday.

A three-star prospect, Smoot is Rivals.com’s No. 26 prospect in Ohio and the top-ranked uncommitted player in the state.

Close to 100 players in the Class of 2022 have reported college offers, and more than a dozen have announced commitments since the early signing period in December when most of the area’s FBS prospects locked in their college choices.

Here is a look at the recent verbal commitments (in alphabetical order):

Jokell Brown, Springfield — Tiffin

Antwan Blackshear, Trotwood-Madison — Grand Valley State

Robert Buscher, Marion Local — Findlay

J.C. Calhoun, Middletown — Wilmington College

Matthew Cotterman, Valley View — Valparaiso

Sam Feldman, Springboro — Findlay

Tayden Harper, Springfield — Muskingum

Hunter Harrison, Hamilton — Indiana Wesleyan

Tywan January, Springfield — Tiffin

Mike Lantz, Alter — Boston College

Mason Leach, Springboro — Siena Heights

Christian McMillan, Springfield — Indianapolis

Logan Neu, Badin — Miami University

Nathan Rosario-Santos, Lakota East — Notre Dame College

Cam Smith, Centerville — Wofford

Dominic Turner, Springfield — Depauw

Vasean Washington, Springfield — Dartmouth

Jordan Ward, Wayne — Ohio Dominican

We will continue to update the list as more decisions come in. To report a decision or plans to announce, feel free to reach out to this reporter at Marcus.hartman@coxinc.com.

Early signees:

Alex Afari, DB, Lakota West — Kentucky

Delian Bradley, DB, Springfield — Harvard

Elijah Brown, TE, Wayne — Alabama

Jyaire Brown, DB, Lakota West — Ohio State

Chase Harrison, QB, Centerville — Marshall

Bryan Henderson, DL, Lakota West — Buffalo

C.J. Hicks, LB, Alter — Ohio State

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Hamilton — Iowa

Charlie Kenrich, ATH, Lakota East — Purdue

Caleb Lyons — Piqua — Furman

Lathan McComis — Fairfield — Wofford

Jasiah Medley — Piqua — Youngstown State

Derrick Shepard Jr., DL, Alter — Cincinnati

Tegra Tshabola, OL, Lakota West — Ohio State

Adam Trick, DE, Wayne — Miami University

Taran Tyo, OL, Versailles — Ball State

Aamil Wagner, OL, Wayne — Notre Dame