2022 ATH Dequandre Smith (6-2 180) of Spring Valley is drawing recruiting interest as a quarterback and a safety. Monday night USC offered him as a safety. Michigan also has offered as a safety. His other offer is from FAU as a quarterback, and Michigan State, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina and Akron are talking to him as a quarterback. Smith said the position is irrelevant, but the offer from the Gamecocks was not.
“It was very unexpected. I like the offer. It’s my dream school,” Smith said. “They were basically telling me they really want me to come there. There’s a difference between wanted and needed, and they really need me to come there. They’ve been looking at me heavily now the past couple of days and today they just pulled the trigger on me.
“I’ve been waiting on this one for a long time,” Smith said. “It’s in-state and its close to home. I’ve been able to go to games and hear Sandstorm and stuff.”
Smith has been talking with USC secondary coach Torrian Gray and defensive coordinator Clayton White. He said they’ve seen characteristics in him they want to see in their defensive players.
“My toughness and the dog inside of me,” Smith said. “They said the way I play, I’m aggressive, coming down hill and trying to run people over. They like that in me. They said they like the toughness in me.”
Smith said he’s not rushing the process and he’s not thinking about favorites at this point. And the Gamecock coaches are not going to rush things either. He hopes to hear soon from head coach Shane Beamer.
“They said they are going to build a bond with me and keeping in contact with me and my family,” Smith said. “They told me Coach Beamer really liked my film and has been looking at me a lot and will be getting in touch with me.”
As a quarterback last season, Smith passed for 1258 yards and rushed for 478 yards. He accounted for 18 touchdowns. He earned All Region and All State honors.
