ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

One of the top tight end prospects in the Midwest, Alex Smith (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), made his first official visit this past weekend. Smith was in Madison visiting Wisconsin.

"It was a good visit," Lakota West coach Larry Cox said. "There were times Alex told me they were playing four tight ends."

Smith's list of scholarship offers includes Wisconsin, Cincinnati, North Carolina, LSU, Michigan, Miami (FL), North Carolina State, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder committed to Cincinnati during the winter, but it is not a done deal he will be a Bearcat. Smith has not de-committed, but at least two other schools appear to have a very realistic shot at signing him.

Cox feels Smith will ultimately decide from the trio of Cincinnati, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

"He expressed a strong interest in North Carolina, and Cincinnati still," Cox said.

Pittsburgh Woodland Hills teammates may visit Iowa

Defensive back Lafayette Pitts, lineman Jullian Turner and linebacker Quinton Jefferson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) are drawing interest from many of the same colleges. The three juniors all mention Pitt, Iowa and West Virginia.

The 6-0, 180-pound Pitts is also receiving mail from Notre Dame, Virginia and Illinois, but says his favorite school is Clemson.

Turner, a 6-2, 275-pound defensive tackle and center, says Duke and Syracuse have also been in contact, but he would love to go to LSU.

Jefferson, who checks in at 6-3, 220-pounds, says in addition to Pitt, Iowa and West Virginia, he is also receiving mail from Michigan State, Indiana and Duke.

"Miami would be my dream school," Jefferson said. "Iowa just invited me to go to one of their games. I might go to their game Sept. 19 when they play Arizona. Lafayette, Jullian and I might go to that game."