WR prospect OrTre Smith’s recent visit to USC ‘just felt different’

Wide receiver OrTre Smith of Wando is one of the jewels of the 2017 recruiting class in South Carolina.

He has offers from South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, East Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State and Tennessee. Smith (6-4, 212) has already hit the junior day circuit at USC and Clemson and will check out more schools in the weeks ahead.

Smith’s most recent visit was to USC earlier this month and he got his first full exposure to Will Muschamp and the new coaching staff.

“The coaches were more lively and attentive and there was a better vibe in the room, a better atmosphere in the room,” Smith said. “I enjoyed myself. In the past times I went there I enjoyed myself but this time it just felt different. Coach Muschamp was explaining how there was a lot of talent in South Carolina and he’s trying to build an in-state thing and I can be a big key to it. Coach McClendon, I got real close with him. He likes to joke around a lot and we had a good time.”

Smith was at Clemson on Jan. 30 for the Tigers junior day, and like his USC visit he experienced a lot of positive things.

“The atmosphere is a family atmosphere and that stood out a lot, their players all say the same thing about the atmosphere, it’s like a family,” Smith said. “And my mom really enjoyed how they handled things.”

Smith’s mother played volleyball at Clemson, so there are the natural ties to the school through her. Smith said that won’t affect his decision-making process.

“Not at all, my mother said it’s my decision and she is going to be behind me wherever I go so that has nothing to do with it, not at all,” he said.

Smith is going to Georgia Saturday for an unofficial visit and is also looking at Wake Forest, North Carolina, Alabama, NC State and Tennessee for possible future visits.

Smith plans to get his list down to five of six schools by the end of the school year, but he’s not sure when he’ll make the final decision, which may or may not come down to an in-state battle.

“Staying in state I’m close to the family, but I’ve got to see where I’m important and where I fit in,” Smith said.

Pat Washington is his USC recruiter and Tony Elliott is the Clemson recruiter. Smith said he’ll probably graduate early but that’s not yet certain.

Last season Smith had 84 catches for 1364 yards and 18 touchdowns.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 1:43 PM with the headline "WR prospect OrTre Smith’s recent visit to USC ‘just felt different’."