Not just a small-town star, Melissa DL Nigel Smith eyes Power 5 future
MELISSA, Texas (BVM) — Nigel Smith has quickly emerged as one of the best defensive ends in the 2024 recruiting class. According to 247 Sports, he is the No. 37 player in the country along with being the No. 4 defensive lineman.
But for Smith, basketball was his first love. It was only natural with his dad having played on the hardwood for SMU.
“I really didn’t like football at first when I started,” Smith said. “Back until eighth grade I was pretty trash at football.”
Now standing at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Smith was always told by people that he could be a Division I football player. It just took him some time for him to believe it.
“You grow up seeing all these guys that are top 100 in the nation and I didn’t really think I could be that,” Smith said. “It’s just crazy to grow up watching that and wanting to be that, but not really understanding what it is.”
Smith began to realize just how good he was when he became a full-time starter for the Melissa High School varsity team as a freshman, winning the co-defensive newcomer of the year award for his district. In the May after his freshman season, Smith received his first collegiate offer from the University of Notre Dame.
I’m honored to have an opportunity to further my academic and football career by being offered by The University of Notre Dame. @NDFootball @FootballMelissa #FightingIrish pic.twitter.com/AP8twMKeur
— Nigel Smith (@NigelSmith_25) May 11, 2021
“That was kind of like that point where I was like, ‘Maybe I can make something out of this and have a football career,’” Smith said.
Smith followed this up with an even better sophomore campaign in the fall of 2021, tallying up 66 tackles and 20 tackles for loss, good enough to take home the District 7-4A-I Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Now, there is no secret on how good Smith is. He has racked up 27 collegiate offers, including 21 from Power 5 programs.
With his dad already having gone through being a coveted high school athlete, Smith has leaned on him for his guidance. The same guidance that Smith has always relied on to make him the young man he is today.
“He’s been a huge role model in my life leading me down this right path,” Smith said. “He has taught me everything I need to know, whether it’s changing a flat tire or practicing D-line stuff whenever I need it.”
As Smith’s legend continues to grow in the small town of Melissa, he’s emerging as a role model himself for all of the younger kids in the community. This became evident for Smith when he was stopped by a group of children following a Sunday service at his church.
“They asked me, ‘You’re Nigel Smith?’” Smith said. “That was definitely something I thought was really cool. I didn’t think I was that big, even for elementary school kids to know who I was.”
As Smith progresses throughout his career, he will have much more fanfare outside of the local Sunday school group. While he is already near the top of his class, he is always looking to see how he can better himself to take that next step.
“I would say it’s a huge accomplishment just to be recognized as a top-40 player in the nation,” Smith said. “But I’m striving to be the No. 1 player. If I hit that it will definitely be the biggest accomplishment of my high school career. All of these all-state and other accolades will come with striving to be that guy.”
After a couple of more high school seasons of continuing to fill his trophy case, he will look to do the same at the next level.
“When I get to college, I want to be that guy,” Smith said. “It’s not going to happen my first year. It’ll take years of hard work, but when it comes time, I want to be the best in college football.”
