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West football standouts give verbal commitments to UC

OL Schloemer, TE Smith will line up next to each other four more years.

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By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 4:13 PM Friday, April 3, 2009

Kevin Schloemer and Alex Smith have been lining up next to each other on the offensive line since the third grade.

They hope to continue lining up next to each other more in the future.

The Lakota West High juniors verbally committed to continue their football careers at the University of Cincinnati on Feb. 21 during halftime of the UC-Louisville men's basketball game.

"It's a statement about where Cincinnati football is," West coach Larry Cox said. "When you've got young men who choose Cincinnati over the likes of Illinois, Michigan and Tennessee, that's a tremendous statement. They didn't have to go far away to play top-caliber football.

"I'm happy and excited for them."

• Schloemer, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound tackle, picked the Bearcats over Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State.

"We both really wanted to go there," Schloemer said of him and Smith. "We said we might as well both go. It seemed like a good idea, plus we've been playing with each other for a long time."

Schloemer said committing early has allowed him to concentrate more on academics and weightlifting.

"I play really aggressive," he said. "I always look for the big hits, and I try to finish."

• Smith, a 6-5, 245-pound tight end, chose UC over Michigan, Penn State and Kentucky.

"You see what they did this year, and it wasn't even coach (Brian) Kelly's recruits," Smith said. "With his own recruits and the recruits ahead of us, I don't see why we can't win the conference every year.

"I understand the offense," he added. "It's perfect for me."

Smith caught 27 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns en route to a second-team, all-Greater Miami Conference pick this past season.

He has already received an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

"Now I can really focus on my senior season," Smith said. "I know for a fact we'll have something special. The recruiting stuff is nice, but what I'm looking forward to most is my senior season of football with all my friends and teammates."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.

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