Notre Dame football recruiting: OL Smith will visit Irish in January

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- As if Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand hadn’t already stocked his 2014 class with enough talent, the Irish have been placed in a four-team race for offensive lineman Braden Smith.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound prospect from Olathe, Kan., said Monday after practice for the Under Armour All-America Game, that he will visit his top four schools – Notre Dame, Texas A&M, TCU and Auburn – before making his final decision.

A physical specimen in football pads, the Irish would likely make room for Smith, who plans to make his official visit to Notre Dame on Jan. 17. He previously visited South Bend in March.

“When I went down there, I was pretty comfortable,” Smith said. “I fit their system and I fit around the guys. When I hung out with them, I could relate to them."

Smith has lined up as the starting left guard next to Notre Dame commit Alex Bars at left tackle in practice for Team Nitro. 247Sports slates him as the No. 8 guard and the No. 125 prospect overall in the 2014 class. Rivals ranks Smith as the No. 5 tackle and No. 51 overall.

Safeties coach Bob Elliott has led Smith’s recruitment for Notre Dame.

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