COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saturday is the last time seniors on the Ohio State football team will play in Ohio Stadium, including defensive end Tyreke Smith.
Smith didn’t start playing football until he was a junior in high school, which makes being recruited by the Buckeyes that much more special.
“I remember when I got an offer from Ohio State,” said Smith. “It was my dad’s birthday.”
Despite his late start to the sport, No. 11 has been a powerhouse for the Buckeyes from the start, playing in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2018.
“It seems like it was just yesterday I was walking in the door. It went so fast, you know, I’m so thankful for everything,” he said.
While his teammates and coaches became his second family, his own family has been cheering him on the entire way.
“We’re so proud of him,” said Tyreke’s mother, Michelle Smith. “This has been a real journey.”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Cleveland Heights native.
He’s battled injuries and tested positive for COVID-19 in January, right before the National Championship game against Alabama.
“I think he took the whole COVID situation better than we did,” said Tyreke’s father, Randy Smith “We were like broken, and he was like ‘you know what, it is what it is. I’m going to sit out, I’m going to be there for my teammates, I’m going to watch the game.’”
The couple said their family put a lot of thought into choosing a school.
“You want to be able to trust them with a school that does things the correct way, the right way and helps take care of your son,” said Randy Smith. “And Ohio State has done that.”
The Smiths have been at every home and away game and they’re ready for one last go around in The Shoe.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Michelle Smith.
And Tyreke said he’s thankful for everything his parents have done over the years.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, for my parents’ support,” said Tyreke Smith. “Their support is huge in my life. I think they’re the backbone to who I am today.”
Ohio State Senior Day festivities will take place before kickoff at noon on Saturday.
