It’s shaping up to be a classic SEC-style recruiting battle for one of the top interior offensive linemen in the 2027 class. Terrance Smith, a four-star junior out of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, just trimmed his recruitment list to seven schools - and it’s a who’s who of college football powerhouses.
Smith’s finalists? LSU, Rutgers, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Auburn. That’s a stacked group, loaded with tradition, top-tier coaching staffs, and a track record of developing NFL talent - especially in the trenches.
One program that’s made an early impression: Florida. Smith was on campus in Gainesville for the Gators’ junior day in January, and it clearly resonated.
He spoke about the “family feeling” he got the moment he walked in, and noted how Florida “moved up” on his list after that visit. That’s not just lip service - he’s already locked in an official visit to The Swamp from May 28-30.
That’ll be his first OV of the cycle, and it’s a strong early sign that the Gators are firmly in the hunt.
Florida isn’t the only SEC contender making noise. Smith recently visited LSU and met with new head coach Lane Kiffin, adding another layer of intrigue to this recruitment. With both Florida and LSU pushing hard, this could come down to which staff can connect most consistently with Smith and present the clearest development path - both on and off the field.
Smith is a name to know in the 2027 class. According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 238 overall player in the country, the No. 12 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 9 prospect in Pennsylvania. ESPN is even higher on him, slotting him in at No. 155 in their Junior 300 rankings.
What makes Smith so intriguing isn’t just his size and power - though he checks those boxes - it’s his versatility and footwork. He’s the kind of lineman who can anchor a pocket, but also get out in space and lead on pulls and screens. That’s the kind of skill set that fits just about any offensive scheme, which explains why his offer sheet reads like a college football Top 25 poll.
Smith holds offers from more than 30 programs, including Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Penn State. But it’s the SEC schools that seem to be leading the charge. And with official visits on deck and more in-person evaluations to come, this recruitment is just getting started.
For now, Florida’s early traction - and that locked-in visit - gives them a real shot. But with Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State lurking, this one’s far from over. Expect twists, turns, and a lot more campus visits before Smith makes his final call.