From Eleven Warriors....some solid info, some OSU spin...
Where does Ohio State stand with Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith? It looks like there may be growing concern that he's beginning to favor Penn State. - JacksonOhio5
You may recall Smith announced a Top 5 of Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and USC shortly after he arried in Beaverton, Oregon, in late June for Nike Football's The Opening Finals. And it was there that I first got a sense of how real of a threat the Nittany Lions truly are.
For starters, his mom absolutely loves Penn State head coach James Franklin. As a former basketball player who went through the recruiting process herself, she appreciates his honesty with and compassion for her son. For example, Franklin will reach out to Smith when he knows he's traveling and wish him a safe trip.
Meyer, meanwhile, reaches out almost daily with what is perceived to be the same message he sends other recruits. Just making contact isn't going to work with Smith and his family. Meyer has to go above and beyond in his efforts.
Ohio State has also floated the idea of moving Smith to the interior portion of the defensive line, something he doesn't want to do at the next level. Penn State, meanwhile, is saying defensive end all the way.
Smith is originally from California, so it's not as if his ties to Ohio State run deep. And had the Buckeyes not offered him a scholarship when they did this winter, he seemed ready to move on altogether. This isn't a normal in-state recruitment, and it shouldn't just be assumed he'll end up in Columbus just because he lives in Cleveland.
Now, sources close to the Penn State program have told me they have only one spot along the defensive line left open, which means the Nittany Lions will have to decide between Smith, Parsons and New Jersey four-star defensive end Jayson Oweh. Ohio State doesn't have that problem, and could eventually land all three. But at some point, Franklin is going to have to decide which prospect he wants to go all-in for.
I believe Ohio State and Penn State are on even footing for Smith at the moment, with the Buckeyes pulling even. But landing Smith isn't going to be easy or a foregone conclusion by any means.