Garrison Smith signs with Michigan State

NORWALK — The future athletic and academic home for Garrison Smith won't be in the Buckeye state. But the Norwalk High School senior kicker won't be far, and will be at a place that feels like home. One of the top kickers and punters in the country, Smith officially signed as a preferred walk-on at NCAA Division I Michigan State University on Friday in front of family and friends at NHS. Kenny Spencer, a special teams assistant coach for the Spartans, made an offer to Smith on Nov. 13. Michigan State was 2-5 in the Big Ten in 2020 under first-year head coach and Cleveland native Mel Tucker, who had previous coaching stops with the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. "It's been a long journey, and Michigan State just feels like the right destination," Smith said on Friday. "Hopefully I can pursue it further, but if not, it's a great school and a great program to finish my kicking career. "It's just unreal at this point right now, imagining how it all started and where it has taken me." In fewer than three years, kicking the football has taken the son of Dave and Kelly Smith from a full-time soccer player and part-time football player to a record-setting kicker now on his way to the Big Ten. He went from no stars to a five-star ranking for the Class of 2021, and from barely getting the football over the goalposts at 25 yards to connecting from 57 yards in a game setting. There were multiple offers for Smith to attend other Power Five programs, but ultimately he felt Michigan State had the best fit. "That feeling of being needed and wanted — every recruiter will make you feel that," he said. "But it was the extra mile Coach Spencer and MSU went in that sense. Plus, getting accepted into school so early also helped. The program itself also has a lot of amenities that I can't get anywhere else." Those amenities include an indoor training facility to kick year-round, his own dietician, and one of the top strength and conditioning rooms in the country. "I'm about 170 pounds and they want me up to 185, so I'll definitely be hitting the weight room there," Smith said. "But really, it meant a lot that they were willing to offer me so early in the process." Norwalk head coach Todd Fox relied heavily on Smith's leg during his first three seasons. Smith attempted 41 field goals in 35 games from at 2018-20. After Smith made a 57-yard field goal on Oct. 16 — the fifth-longest overall and second-longest field goal reported in an OHSAA game — Fox watched two days later as the Cleveland Browns punted from the same distance at Pittsburgh. "I know every situation is different, but watching college and NFL games makes you really understand how blessed we've been the last few years, and how blessed Garrison is," Fox said. "We look forward for him to be that guy on Saturdays, and if it works out, maybe on Sundays. "But ultimately in sports, you learn that when you do all those things that Garrison has done, you become a better person," he added. "And I know Garrison's work ethic means football won't be it for him. The sky is the limit for whatever he wants to do in life." Fox spoke of Smith's work ethic that has included practicing his kicking and punting at all times of the year in all weather conditions. He hoped his Norwalk teammates in attendance on Friday took note. "It's exciting for Garrison first and foremost," Fox said. "Any time you have a player committed to a Big Ten team, it doesn't come very often. We've been very fortunate the last couple of years. But it's for him and a culmination of all the work he puts in. "I would challenge that there are many kids out there who put in the amount of time and effort into their craft as Garrison," he added. "Hopefully he gets the rewards that we've had from him the last few years, because I can't say enough about for what he's done for us winning games on the field and leading off the field." Like any position, Smith will have plenty of competition for playing time at Michigan State. There are three kickers and a punter already expected back on the 2021 roster, and another kicker may be part of the current recruiting class yet. Smith is aware of his situation and that he may be looking at a redshirt season in 2021. Either way, he's looking forward to the chance at trying to kick field goals and extra points, or handling kickoff and punting duties while wearing the green and white. "Luckily with what I can do they are able and willing to let me compete for all three spots to get on the field," Smith said. "No matter the situation, you have to do what you have to do. If I have to wait my first year and get better and stronger, then I'll be ready and put in the work if it's what I have to do." Smith also gave credit to his kicking coaches, Adam Tanalski, Fillip Filipovic, Brandon Kornblue, and Jamie Kohl for helping his development. "I've just had so many great inspirations and mentors along the way," he said. "Coach Fillip is the first person to teach me how to kick. I've had such unbelievable support throughout this process." Smith is ranked the No. 5 kicker and the No. 11 punter in the country for the Class of 2021 by kornbluekicking.com. The website kohlskicking.com rated Smith the No. 21 kicker and No. 13 punter nationally for his class. In 2020, Smith switched to kicking off the ground without a tee. A two-time All-Ohio first team selection, Smith finished his star-studded career with 23 extra points and 11 field goals in 2020 for 56 points in nine games (6.2 average). He also added 29 touchbacks on kickoff attempts. Smith — who made 32 career field goals, 16 beyond 40 yards — also made field goals of 54 and 57 yards last season. His 57-yarder vs. Copley on Oct. 16 is the fifth-longest field goal in OHSAA history and the second-longest in a playoff game. He had four field goals of 50-plus yards over the past two seasons. In the OHSAA record books, Smith is unofficially third for consecutive field goals made (13), fourth in consecutive PATs (92) and career kicking points (250), 22nd for points kicked in a game (13) and 23rd for 154 career PATs. He owns every program kicking record. As a punter, Smith also starred for the Truckers. In 2020, he punted 28 times for 1,288 yards, a 46.0-yard average that is also a program record. In 2019, he punted 36 times for 1,448 yards, good for a 40.2-yard average. Perhaps most importantly, with Smith as a starter, the Truckers were 24-11 with a league championship, a regional championship and five playoff victories. Smith kicked the game-winning points in Norwalk's 20-17 regional title win over Sandusky in 2018. "As much as I'd like to say I was a key contributor, it's still a team game in every sense of the word," Smith said. "And being a part of every team — I missed the seniors ahead of me every year. Kaden Livingston, Ethan Hernandez … I can go right down the list and name the amount of guys I grew a connection with. "Being part of a winning program was great, and I hope they continue it," he added. "Winning does more for moral and behavior than losing. I've enjoyed being a part of this program and Coach Fox and his staff have done a tremendous job here. I'm so glad he came here at the right time for me and my teammates."