Troy Smith - High School Career

High School Career

Smith played his first two years at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, but was thrown off the team after elbowing an opponent in the head while playing in a varsity football game. He transferred to Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio shortly thereafter.

Smith graduated from Glenville where he was coached by Ted Ginn, Sr., father of his teammate Ted Ginn, Jr. Interestingly, Smith and Ginn went on to play together at Ohio State. After his junior football season in high school, Smith was invited to participate in the Elite 11 competition, featuring the eleven top ranked high school quarterback prospects in the US. He earned good praise following his performance, and although it was relatively late in the recruiting process, Ohio State offered Smith a football scholarship. He verbally committed to the Buckeyes, signing his letter of intent on February 6, 2002, the last player for the upcoming season.

Smith threw for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior year. He played alongside current San Francisco 49er, Ted Ginn, Jr., while leading Glenville to the state playoffs.

Smith also played three years of basketball and ran track (high jump, long jump and 1,600-meter relay). West Virginia University and Ohio State recruited him. Smith accepted the last scholarship of Ohio State's 2002 football recruiting class.