2021 four-star Clayton Smith hails from Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. The outside linebacker shares what his experience was like at the Texas Longhorns’ spring game, favorite schools, and when he thinks an offer will come from the Longhorns.
Clayton Smith is one athletic outside linebacker. A three sport athlete at Texas High School, he competes in track, basketball, and football. Not only does he have range in multiple sports, but on the football field as well.
The 6-foot-4, 215 pound recruit has fast closing speed and can be placed on the edge or on the line. With his tall frame, he has the potential to bulk up and be an absolute monster for opposing offenses.
His tape shows his consistency in finishing a play with no trouble wrapping up and a keen eye for locating the ball. Smith is more often than not, the first to make a tackle, sometimes coming from the opposite side of the field.
Smith’s first offer came from Arkansas, then a few weeks later he received two more from Southern University and Nebraska.
During his sophomore season, Smith recorded 57 total tackles, two sacks, and averaged 6.3 tackles per game.
Per 247Sports, Smith is ranked as the No. 8 outside linebacker in the nation, and the No. 16 player in the state of Texas. With an offer list that will be growing as the months go on, expect his ranking to rise as well.
Smith was at the Longhorns’ spring game and like many other recruits have voiced, he was impressed with the energy in DKR.
“The atmosphere was ridiculous. The fans are off the chain. The energy down there is amazing.”
Smith says he has had the most contact with Tom Herman and special teams/tight ends coordinator Derek Warehime, and feels an offer will come sometime soon.
Growing up right on the edge of two states where football is king, Smith watched a lot of college ball growing up, dreaming of the day he would get the chance to run out of a tunnel and hear the student section cheering.
As a kid, Smith’s favorite teams were the Florida Gators, Texas Longhorns, and Ohio State Buckeyes.
One of those teams seems to be in good standing with the four-star, who visited the 40 Acres twice this year. Once in February and most recently for the spring game.
Smith says he plans to make the 372 mile trip back to campus in June.
The Longhorns signed two outside linebackers in 2019’s cycle, three-stars Marcus Tillman Jr. and Caleb Johnson. As of now, Texas does not have any defensive commits for the class of 2020.
