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INDIANAPOLIS-- One of the top players in the Midwest is actually a California kid at heart. Four-star Cleveland Heights (Ohio) defensive end Tyreke Smith could make a return to his home state if the USC coaching staff gets what they want.

Smith said that the Trojans are among the top schools that will end up making his final group of schools when he makes his next cut.

"I'm from there and I spent 13 years living in Southern California so they have a pull on me. Coach Kenechi Udeze is definitely the type of man I want to be around and coached by," Smith said. "He is definitely preaching the right message for me and that means a lot. I don't want to go somewhere that I feel unfamiliar with the coaching staff or the school, so that is definitely a big time plus for me."

The Trojans are one of the schools pushing the four-star end the hardest for a commitment. He plans to visit both USC and UCLA when he goes to visit his grandparents in Nevada next month.

"Coach K.U. hits me up at least once a day and the USC coaches hit me up everyday and maybe twice a day," he said. "I'm going out there in July for a visit. I'm going to Vegas on July 17th and then I'll drive down to USC and UCLA."

Smith said he still feels like a California kid even living in Cleveland for several years.

"I definitely have the West Coast mentality. I love the West Coast and I love the weather and it is way different out here in the Midwest," he said. "Having my grandparents in Vegas makes it easier if I go to USC because I'm won't be out there totally alone and I still have cousins in California as well. I think USC will definitely make the next cut and they show a lot of love to me and coach K.U. is not giving up and he is relentless with his recruitment and I like that and it shows me a lot because it means they really want me to be a part of their program."

The visits this summer could really swing Smith's recruitment. He plans to narrow things down or even possibly make a commitment by August.

"I'm going to try and narrow down my list by the end of the summer before my senior season starts officially," he said. "I'm not going to rush my commitment because it is a big decision and it is one of the biggest decisions of my life so I'm going to take my time. If I'm not ready, then I'm not ready and if I feel like I need time I'll keep going."

Smith plans to also visit Ohio State, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and possibly Texas this summer as he attempts to clear up his list of suitors.

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