The New Class: Tyrell Smith
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Height: 6'3"
Weight: 259
Position: Offensive Guard
Hometown:Ramsey, NJ
High School: Don Bosco Prep
Rivals.com Rating: 5.5, Three stars
Rivals.com State Ranking: 27
Recruited by: Jeff Grimes
Has your size changed at all?
The weight has gone up and the height. I'm now 6'4" and 278 as of two days ago. I've been every single day in the weight room.
What does your workout routine entail?
We have four different days, like the chest day, the legs day, the power day and speed day. This whole week, we did volume, so we're doing more reps and less weight to get more stamina. Last week when we tested, it was less reps and more weight. We're getting a whole bunch of work done and the place I go to has a whole bunch of D-I guys. Miami's defensive end goes there and Rutgers' starting receiver and D-tackle go there.
When do you plan on reporting to Virginia Tech?
I graduate high school May 31 and then plan on leaving and being at Virginia Tech June 1. It's gonna be tough, but hey, I've gotta begin the process.
What do you plan on working or improving on through this summer?
Besides continuing to get stronger, I'd definitely say my pass-blocking game. I would say my run-blocking and definitely my strength. I know I'm not the best run-blocker in the country, but I believe that's my strength. My pass-blocking can definitely improve and my footwork and getting a stronger punch to hold off the defensive linemen and protect our guys..
How would you describe your playing style?
I'd say I play balls to the wall and 100 percent out. I always give it all. I'm not gonna let 'em get to my guys and I'm gonna give all I've got.
What are some of your goals for your freshman season at Virginia Tech?
I wanna play as a freshman. I don't wanna have to redshirt, I don't wanna have to sit on the sideline. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get on that field and if not, I'm gonna help the team get better in practice and keep working until I get that spot.
What player or team are you most looking forward to going up against?
Definitely Miami because I have some of my former teammates there. But nothing is better than the UVA/Virginia Tech rivalry, so I wanna smack up on those guys.
What's your favorite food?
My mom's jerk chicken. I love spicy food and she makes it really spicy.
What is your favorite movie?
Believe it or not, I'm not a big movie guy. But if I had to pick a movie, I'm gonna go with the classic, "Friday Night Lights." I'm just not a movie guy. That's not my thing and I have a bad story about Friday Night Lights. I don't wanna get into it.
What is your favorite TV show?
Wow, you're getting me right now. I'll go with "Criminal Minds."
What's the one song you're getting amped up to before a game?
"Lose Yourself," by Eminem. That gets me going.
What would be three words to describe you?
I'd say definitely caring, passionate in everything I do and I take pride in everything I do. I'm not gonna throw something down, I'm gonna give it all I've got.
If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
Scarlett Johansson. Wow.
If you could go toe to toe in the ring with anybody, who would it be?
I'd say, he's not a boxer, but JJ Watt. I just wanna see if I could take this guy. He's a beast.
What's been your most memorable experience playing football?
This past year, a win in triple overtime against our rival. That game was unreal and the fact that we ended up pulling it out was just great.
What's the one thing you learned from your recruitment that you would pass on as advice to a future recruit?
Sometimes, if you're not the biggest recruit, some coaches will give you wishy-washy stuff and tell you, they really want you and the next week they don't. Just stick with what you're doing, continue to work hard. Sometimes, you'll have to go out to camps and really earn your offer like I did. Just continue to work hard, have patience and everything will come.
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