UVA makes the top-five for Ohio offensive tackle Carter Smith

The Virginia Cavaliers have made offensive line a focus in the 2022 class. On Thursday night, a talented lineman from the state of Ohio named UVA among his front-runners.

On his 17th birthday, Powell (Ohio) Olentangy Liberty offensive tackle Carter Smith announced his top-five schools. UVA, led by Garett Tujague was among the favorites.

Virginia was joined by Indiana, Northwestern, Ole Miss, and Tennessee in the 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect’s top-five. Smith talked with 247Sports about what he’s looking for in a school.

“The biggest thing I look for in a school is the people I’ll be working with,” said Smith. “Who is coaching me, mentoring me, and interacting with me every day. Next is the education, if the NFL doesn’t work out, I will need a backup plan and having an amazing degree and experience is really important.”

Auburn, Duke, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Boston College are among the other schools that have extended offers to him.

Smith is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 37 offensive tackle in the 2022 class and the No. 13 junior from the state of Ohio. He’s also rated a three-star prospect in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

UVA has two commitments in the 2022 recruiting cycle: Chattanooga (Tenn.) Boyd-Buchanan School tight end Karson Gay and Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School outside linebacker Trey McDonald.