Meyer, Saban visit USJ, Smith

It’s possible Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer will be on the same field on Jan. 9 for the College Football Playoff championship game in Tampa, Florida.

If the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes win their semifinal games on Dec. 31, they will match up against each other for the biggest prize in college football.

Saban and Meyer were in the same place Monday morning for a pretty big prize that could affect the future of their programs. That place was University School of Jackson. The prize they were competing for was the commitment of offensive lineman Trey Smith.

“Yeah it’s been an eventful day here,” said USJ athletic director Jody Evans.

Smith is scheduled to announce his college commitment at USJ on Tuesday at a 3:30 p.m. press conference. Meyer and Saban were in town a day in advance for one last personal pitch for their programs.

Assistant coaches from Tennessee visited the school as well. Vols head coach Butch Jones, Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney passed through the Bruins’ halls last week.

“Head coaches are allowed one visit, so once all the others in Trey’s top six came by, that was the one time they could come,” Evans said. “But some of them had an in-home visit with Trey and his family after school too.”

Evans said Jones was one of hose who went to the Smith residence.

Evans said all the coaches have been gracious with their time.

“They’re rock stars of college football, and there are a lot of college football fans at our school,” Evans said. “We gave the coaches the option of meeting with Trey and (USJ head coach Rusty Bradley) in the field house, separate from the school, and they all said they were OK with it.”

Evans, who was a walk-on at Alabama under former Tide coach Gene Stallings, got a picture with his wife and children with Saban.

“Coach Saban was great today signing autographs and taking pictures, and Coach Meyer was too,” Evans said.

In July, Smith announced on Twitter that his top six were Ohio State, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Clemson and Notre Dame. After announcing on Tuesday, Smith’s plans are to enroll early. Evans said there’s nothing official about Smith’s announcement on Tuesday as NCAA regulations won’t allow prospects to sign their national letters of intent until signing day on the first Wednesday in February. He will officially be joined with the school of his choice the day he enrolls in January.

“Knowing Trey and his family, his announcement tomorrow is as good as official,” Evans said. “I know he’s ready for this process to be over because it’s been a grind on top of his academics and playing for the football team here.

“And I’m ready for it for him. He’s had interviews and visits and such, and selfishly, it brings a lot of positive attention to USJ. But he’s looking forward to this process ending and the next one beginning.”

Evans said he didn’t know of any coaches coming to USJ on Tuesday.

“They can’t be here for the press conference, and unless they’re going to show up tomorrow or they’ve reached out to Coach Bradley, I know of no one coming by earlier in the day,” Evans said. “So we’ve got the big day tomorrow, and then Trey will finish up his time at USJ here.

“We’re proud for him and how he’s handled all this. No matter which school he chooses, he’ll make the right choice and the school will be better for him coming there.”

Brandon Shields, 425-9751