National Signing Day 2017: 3-star WR Tyler Smith postpones enrollment

Wide receiver Tyler Smith out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, will not sign today, opting to postpone his enrollment by a semester. The 5’11”, 185-pound Smith is ranked as the 53rd best wide receiver in the class of 2017 and 360th overall. He was ranked 366th in 247Sports’ national composition.

Smith received interest from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Auburn before ultimately deciding to become a Tar Heel. He said that having a degree from UNC if playing in the NFL didn’t work out was one of the reasons he wanted to be a Tar Heel.

While playing for McEachern, Smith earned All-County and All-State honors. He was ranked as the 8th best athlete in the country as a sophomore. That talent made him an appealing target as one of the better wide receivers in the class.

Smith will actually grey shirt in 2017, postponing his enrollment in classes at UNC until the second semester of his freshman year. That means Smith won’t be a factor on the 2017 team, but the Tar Heels would have him one year longer.

247Sports speculates that Smith will grey shirt in order to heal from two knee surgeries, allowing him extra time to get back into shape. Giving Smith a grey shirt would allow the Tar Heels to add an extra body that can help the team right away.

You can check out some of Tyler Smith’s highlights in the video below.