A defense in football is only as strong as its interior. Having a talented and dominant defensive tackle can really change everything a team does on that side of the ball, and the top college football recruit in the state of Louisiana looks like the next, great one.
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Maason Smith is not only the top recruit in his home state, but he is the second-ranked defensive tackle in the country and 18th-overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite. Not surprisingly, all the top college football teams in the country wanted him. Bad.
The five-star defensive lineman out of Houma, LA has the body of a player who will be ready to play as soon as he steps on campus. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, it should be no surprise he is such a highly-touted member of the 2021 recruiting class.
At Terrebonne High School, Smith is a game-changer and racked up scholarship offers from schools around the country. He is the No. 1 defensive tackle, top player in Louisiana, and top-ranked prospect by Rivals. Meanwhile, ESPN ranks him sixth among defensive tackles and 56th overall.
Anyway you slice it, Smith is a five-star stud in high school foootball
DT Maason Smith Recruiting
BLESSED TO SEE 17....🖤 pic.twitter.com/SemPyzPTL1
— MAASON SMITH (@maassoonn_) October 13, 2019
In June 2018, Smith received his first Division I scholarship offer from Louisiana Monroe and less than a week later got another from Southern Miss. Since then, it was constant offers for the possible NFL prospect.
He had over 30 offers, but in October 2019, Smith posted a tweet revealing his top eight schools.
THE END IS COMING……🎱 #1of1 pic.twitter.com/h3UHocYKfe
— MAASON SMITH (@maassoonn_) July 4, 2020
RELATED: Nation's No. 1 Safety, Kevin Faulk's Cousin, Commits to LSU
The SEC made up a bulk of that list with four from the Southeastern Conference, two from the Pac-12, and one apiece from the ACC and Big 12.
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Florida Gators
- Georgia Bulldogs
- LSU Tigers
- Miami Hurricanes
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Oregon Ducks
- USC Trojans
A few months later, he made his commitment official.
DT Maason Smith Signs With LSU Tigers
Hold That Tiger
The No. 1 player in the state is officially a Tiger! Welcome home, @therealmaasonn. #GeauxTigers | https://t.co/2gIBrOGSr4 pic.twitter.com/5sPwPI2ySi
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 16, 2020
After a long recruitment process, All-American defensive tackle Maason Smith decided to stay close to home. He committed and signed to play for head coach Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers on National Signing Day.
LSU fans can quickly forget about the 2020 regular season during the COVID-19 outbreak. With a player like Smith already signed during the Early Signing Period, the Tigers can focus on getting back to the College Football Playoff and national championship conversation.
DT Maason Smith Highlights
As a defensive tackle, Smith may not put up huge numbers or have the coolest looking plays, but he obviously has great mobility for a guy his size.
Smith tallied 12 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and 11 batted passes during his sophomore and junior campaigns and can play anywhere along the interior defensive line.
With his speed at the position, he will be a problem for interior offensive lineman at the NCAA level. He is definitely someone I would want on my defense, or at the very least, play in a conference where my team wont have to play him.
There's no doubt Maason Smith has NFL Draft potential.
This article was originally published November 13, 2019. It was updated throughout Smith's recruiting.
