We continue our countdown of Ohio High magazine’s top 50 football prospects for 2010 with today’s look at the No. 5-ranked prospect, West Chester Lakota West tight end Alex Smith.

We will continue this countdown with a look at each of the top 15 prospects over the next two weeks. The list will then be updated for the Fall edition of Ohio High magazine. Click here for information on how to subscribe to Ohio High.

Here is our look at Smith:

West Chester Lakota West tight end Alex Smith is in preseason practice with his high school team. And, as busy as this week may be, it is probably not as hectic as last week was.

Smith (6-5 ½, 255) spent the first portion of last week at the Gridiron Kings competition down in Orlando, Fla. He came out of that special invitation-only event ranked as one of the top tight ends in the competition, which was centered on an all-star seven-on-seven tournament.

“It was competitive,” Smith said. “It was right up my alley.”

Following that trip to Florida, Smith headed off to Wisconsin for an unofficial visit.

Smith originally committed to Cincinnati in mid-February, but he subsequently re-opened his recruitment and attracted a number of top-notch offers.

“UC is still in there as like my number one school,” Smith said. “But I also still like Illinois, Michigan, LSU and Penn State. I also like North Carolina a lot.”

Smith is keeping an open mind. He is also keeping hope alive that Ohio State may make an offer. Smith attended the second session of the Ohio State advanced camp on June 26. He has been told that the OSU staff should be in touch with his Lakota West coach, Larry Cox, sometime soon.

“I had been to Ohio State before,” Smith said. “Being there for the camp, I could see they have a real nice facility. While I was there, I picked up a bunch of tips that will help me in my senior season. The camp was good for my conditioning and I think it helped me get ready for practice.”

Smith said he hopes to make a college decision by sometime in early September.

“My timeline is I’d like to have a decision at least by the first two games of my season,” he said. “My mom is a big part of the decision. But she doesn’t care how close I am. She wants me to be happy and have a good fit.

“It will be wherever it clicks for me and a place that is a good tight end school that can get you transferred to the (National Football) League.”

Of course, OSU has done a lot of business at Lakota West. Recent signees from Lakota West include OL Steve Rehring, DL Brandon Maupin and DE Solomon Thomas. Rehring just wrapped up a three-year run as a starting lineman. Thomas could break into the two-deep for the Buckeyes in 2009.

Plus, Ohio State is hot after Lakota West linebacker Jordan Hicks, who is also considered one of the state’s top five overall prospects.

Smith got an early offer from Cincinnati and committed to the Bearcats and coach Brian Kelly early in the process. But Cox said that Smith continued to hear from other schools, most notably Michigan.

“He went up to Michigan for the barbecue that Coach (Rich) Rodriguez has,” Cox said. “He indicated to me that he really hadn’t seen many schools. He went up there to see them. I know he likes Coach Kelly and UC. But I think that trip opened his eyes that there may be some other things out there.”

As a junior, Smith tallied 27 catches for 375 yards (13.9 average) and four touchdowns. Lakota West ended up 6-4 and missed the playoffs.

“I am definitely a tight end that can get open and make plays on the ball,” Smith said. “I am probably more of a receiving type of tight end. I played at 225 pounds last year. I have been in the weight room four times a week and busting my ass. I want to get my weight up to where it should be. I am a lot stronger and I have been working hard to make sure I don’t lose any of my quickness.”

Cox added, “It’s no secret why these schools are real high on him. He is already 6-5 and 250 as a high school senior. He is built like a college tight end right now.”

Playing alongside Hicks, Smith is hopeful that Lakota West can contend in the Greater Miami Conference and make a Division I playoff run.

“With the schedule we have and the guys we have, we have a lot of Division I players,” Smith said. “The intensity in practices and workouts are up twofold from last year. We are more focused. We were undefeated as freshmen and in our JV season. We have some great athletes we think who can do the job. Coach Cox has us on point and we think we can do some big things this season.”

Besides his team workouts for football, Smith also participated in summer basketball events with his high school team and also played AAU basketball with the Club Ohio program. He holds a 3.0 GPA.

ScoutingOhio.com’s Mark Porter on Smith: Smith is a versatile player who can line up all over the field and create mismatches for the defense. Has rare size and speed for his position and will continue to develop as a dominating blocker in the run game.