Brandon Shields

bjshields@jacksonsun.com

University School of Jackson offensive lineman Trey Smith has announced his top six schools in his recruitment.

Smith, who was named the No. 1 player on the ESPN Top 300 recruiting rankings for the class of 2017, tweeted a produced video Sunday evening.

VIDEO: USJ's Trey Smith rated No.1 by ESPN

The clip, which played a track by hip-hop superstar Jay-Z in the background, revealed Tennessee as the first of the group.

Alabama and Notre Dame were revealed before a few seconds of clips of Smith’s junior season at USJ.

The second half of the video, which was 28 seconds long, revealed Ohio State, Clemson and Ole Miss as the other three in the top six.

Smith declined to be interviewed about the list by the Sun, but he gave no indication there was any importance to the order of teams revealed.

Ole Miss was the first team to extend a scholarship offer to him about two years ago – late in the summer of 2014 before his sophomore season. Tennessee offered him days afterward.

Smith was quoted on a recruiting site earlier this year that Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand was the best line coach in the country.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly made visits to USJ last winter when they were allowed to go on the road to recruit before national signing day. The other three schools reportedly sent assistant coaches.

UT head coach Butch Jones was on campus in June when the Vols held a satellite camp for linemen at USJ.

Smith said on the day ESPN named him their top recruit in the country his plan was to commit to a school after the 2016 season is complete this fall and then enroll early in January to get a head start on his collegiate development.

Smith is listed at 6-feet-6-inches and just over 300 pounds. Recruiters and coaches apparently like his footwork and his work ethic along with his football IQ at a young age.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751