Penn State's business-like approach wins over Catholic Memorial running back Corey Smith

WAUKESHA – If you thought scoring one of the top high school running backs in the nation would be cause for celebration think again.

Two weeks ago, Catholic Memorial’s Corey Smith met with James Franklin and told the Penn State head coach that he was ready to commit to the program.

Franklin’s response is one reason the coach and program resonated with Smith.

“It wasn’t even like a celebrate thing,” Smith said. “It was ‘Ok, let’s get to business' type of thing.”

Penn State has definitely been on the job so far during this recruiting cycle. Smith is the 13th recruit to commit to the Nittany Lions' 2024 class. The commitment pushed the program into the top five of the Rivals and 247sports national rankings.

Smith announced his decision Friday afternoon inside the Catholic Memorial gym with his mother, Corrie, by his side, his father, John Crowley, who died when Smith was 1, there in spirit and large contingent of family members in the stands.

“I loved it actually,” Smith said of the moment. “I got a little emotional in the beginning, but it was tears of joy because I like to see both sides of my family come together.”

Smith is the latest in a run of Wisconsin products heading to State College, Pennsylvania. Smith's teammate, Donovan Harbour, announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions on April 18. Arrowhead offensive lineman Garrett Sexton revealed his commitment Monday.

Smith is considered the No. 1 prospect in the state according to Rivals. He received more than a dozen offers from high major programs. Despite the high-profile nature of his recruitment, what he sought in a program was a no-frills approach.

He found that in Happy Valley.

“From when I visited the first time I just felt like that place was real,” Smith said. “The recruiting people didn’t show me anything fake or anything that wasn’t going to happen. It was just all business, showing what they really do.”

Smith is a big-play threat with a nose for the end zone

The Nittany Lions are getting one of the most electric players in the state.

Smith averaged a touchdown once every six times he touched the ball last season. He ran for 1,304 yards in 163 carries, an average of 8 yards per attempt, to help the Crusaders reach the Division 4 state final. He was a first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.

He enters his senior season with these career numbers: 2,452 yards, 44 touchdowns and an average of 9.3 yards per carry.

More: Corey Smith's junior season highlights

By committing to Penn State, Smith and Harbour will be able to continue their partnership. Their friendship dates back to the sixth grade. They started to play football together in seventh grade but didn’t attend the same school until they reached Catholic Memorial as freshmen.

In addition to forming a formidable tandem on the field, the two were a 1-2 punch on the road, taking most of their recruiting trips together. The two committed to Penn State during the same visit.

“It’s going to be real comfortable, real exciting,” Smith said. “I’ve got a person with me I’ve been knowing my whole high school career, and my whole youth. It will be real fun to experience it with one of my brothers.”

Smith is the eighth in-state Division I recruit for 2024

Smith's commitment continues what has been a robust spring of Division I commitments for state players.

In addition to Harbour and Sexton, the list includes Waunakee tight end Rob Booker (Wisconsin), Bay Port linebacker Landon Gauthier (Wisconsin); Arrowhead defensive end Jace Gilbert (Iowa State); Arrowhead offensive lineman Derek Jensen (Wisconsin) and Middleton linebacker Sam Pilof (Rutgers).

Smith made two trips to Penn State. During the his first visit he was so struck by the intensity of practice that he wanted to return for the spring game April 15 to see how things looked during a more game-like environment.

During that visit he spoke with Milwaukee King graduate Jerry Cross, who will be a redshirt freshman tight end this upcoming season.

“I talked to him every day I was out there,” Smith said. “He told me it was a true school, nothing to play with. He was like ‘It’s business down here.’”

Conversations like that helped convince Smith to wrap up his recruitment and turn his attention to the Under Armour Next Camp that will be held in Columbus, Ohio on May 7 among other things.

"This is most busy week ever," he said. "I had school I had to catch up on from being out of town. I had this I had to worry about. I have prom. It was just a long week. I’m glad everything is off my shoulders now."

More: Wisconsin, Big Ten rivals among programs pursuing Catholic Memorial offensive lineman Owen Strebig

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Catholic Memorial star Corey Smith commits to Penn State for 2024