Current commitments to sign national letters of intent for the Buckeyes
 
 
Name: Roderick Smith
Home: Fort Wayne, IN Region: Midwest
High/Prep School/J.C.: Paul Harding
Position: RB
Height: 6'2'' Weight: 216
Comments:   The Ohio State Buckeyes got their man when four-star running back Roderick Smith issued a verbal commitment to join their class of 2010.

The four-star running back prospect from Fort Wayne (Ind.) Paul Harding said that he knew he would be issuing a verbal commitment before he made the trip to Columbus. Once he was there, that feeling was reassured.

"I was with the head coach and the AD and I told them I figured it was time to commit," Smith said.

"They were shocked. I didn’t tell them when I was coming down that I was going to commit. Now I know I get to play for a big, great college program."

His goals for the day were twofold: to spend time with the coaches and get a feel for the players on the team. In addition to time spent with Tressel and Gene Smith, the running back prospect hung out with running back Dan Herron and quarterback Terrelle Pryor for about two hours.

"Just the coaches are great," he said about OSU. "Me and the coaches have a great chemistry together. They’re easy to talk to. I got a chance to hang out with the players and that was all I needed. That about sealed it."

As for spending time with Pryor, Smith said, "He’s cool. It’s cool knowing that he’s a big-time college player. I’m glad I’ll get a chance to play with him." 

Roderick Smith finished his junior season with 1,685 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. He enjoyed a great freshman season with 1,800 yards on 270 attempts for 15 touchdowns for the 2A State Champion.He benches 300-pounds and squats 400.

As impressive as those stats are, his three-year totals are even more staggering. During his three-year career he’s amassed 5,285 yards on the ground.