Receiver a delayed UT commitment

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee got its second commitment for next year’s football recruiting class Friday, but the Volunteers won’t reap the benefits for a while.

Corey Smith, a 6-foot, 170-pound receiver from Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio, announced his nonbinding pledge to the Vols at his school Friday afternoon, but he won’t arrive with the rest of UT’s 2012 signing class.

After switching schools following his sophomore year, Smith already has played four years of high school football, thus making him ineligible for 2012 NCAA play. Prospective student-athletes must complete their core courses within eight semesters.

Smith, who had scholarship offers from West Virginia, Illinois and Michigan State along with strong interest from Ohio State, declined to comment when reached by phone Friday night. He had 16 touchdown catches and more than 1,100 receiving yards as Buchtel reached the Division III state championship game.

Buchtel coach Ricky Powers, who could not be reached Friday afternoon, told the Akron Beacon Journal that Smith would attend East Mississippi Junior College.

Imani Cross, a 6-1, 220-pound running back from North Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga., is the Vols’ lone other committed recruit for the 2012 class.