When former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith arrived to Columbus in 2011, he introduced himself as a home run threat in grand style.
One of his biggest catches in his freshman season in 2011 was a 40-yard pitch-and-catch from Braxton Miller to upset then-No. 15 Wisconsin, contributing to his 21 yards per catch that season.
However, that wasn't a skill he just developed in college.
In high school, the 4.42-second 40-yard dash runner averaged 19.3 yards per catch in his career at Massillon Washington High School, hauling in 110 passes for 2,119 yards and 24 touchdowns. He announced he will be inducted into the 2023 Tigers Football Hall of Fame class.
Smith said in an Instagram post that he's "extremely grateful, honored and appreciative" of the honor.
"I've always wanted to wear that orange and black with the leaping tiger on the side and run out under that tunnel and the announcer says 'heerrreees the tigers!'" Smith stated. "I wore that uniform with pride and always understood that I was representing something bigger than myself. The legendary players and coaches who came before me, the tradition of the town, history of the team! To all my teammates, coaches in all 3 sports I participated in, to all my teachers I had and crossed paths with I thank you so much for the love and support and welcoming me with open arms!"
Smith's high school career wasn't limited to just football. In addition to playing basketball, Smith was also the 2011 state track and field champion, running 10.74 seconds in the 100-meter dash and long jumping 24 feet, 7 inches.
At Ohio State from 2011-14, arguably Smith's best career game was a four-catch, 137-yard, and career-high three-touchdown performance in Cardale Jones' first game under center in the 2014 Big Ten Championship.
His 121 receptions are the 15th-most in Buckeyes program history, as his 2,503 yards are the sixth-most and his 30 touchdowns are the third-most. In 2014, he set the single-season program record with a 28.2 average yards per catch.
Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and spent two seasons with them and one year each with the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.
Other former Buckeyes that are inducted into the Tigers Football Hall of Fame include Chris Spielman, Devin Jordan, Justin Zwick, Earle Bruce and Paul Brown.
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