Spring Valley’s DeQuandre (DQ) Smith (6-2 180) is a superb athlete on the football field. He stars for the Vikings at quarterback and safety, and he could play either position in college. The 247Sports Composite rates him as a three-star dual threat quarterback and ranks him 24th nationally at that position.
USC has offered Smith, but as a safety, not a quarterback. That could be an issue for the Gamecocks because Smith is clear in his mind about what he wants to play in college, and position choice is important to him.
“Yes sir, it kind of does matter to me,” Smith said. “Quarterback. I work really hard at it, so that’s what I want to be.”
Smith said he has discussed his desire to be a quarterback with Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray.
“They said they were going to talk it out more and probably give me some packages for quarterback as well,” Smith said. Would that satisfy him? “Not all the way. I wouldn’t say it was a (deal) killer, but it’s definitely a lower chance (for USC).”
The Gamecocks, however, continue to work Smith knowing, perhaps, they can show him Dakereon Joyner as an example of a high school quarterback who has moved to another position (wide receiver), and has the chance to be a star there.
“They tell me that South Carolina is a home,” Smith said. “It’s right around the corner from my house. Everybody there is family and it’s just a home.”
Smith has done several Zoom visits with the Gamecocks, and he did a virtual visit a couple of months ago. He also got a close up look at the team by attending the spring game.
“It was amazing, a great atmosphere,” Smith said. “It’s definitely somewhere I could call home. It was a great atmosphere and I liked it.”
Michigan also offered Smith early but he said he’s not hearing much from the Wolverines at this point. Georgia Southern, FAU and Charlotte also have offered and want him strictly as a quarterback. Of those, Smith said he’s talking the most with Georgia Southern, and really, his decision right now is USC as a safety or Georgia Southern as a quarterback.
Smith said he doesn’t have a decision timeline because he wants to see what other offers will come in.
Last season Smith passed for 1258 yards and rushed for 478 yards while accounting for 18 touchdowns.
Other Notes:
- Clemson target CB Ryan Turner of Hollywood, FL committed to Ohio State. He was highly interested in Clemson and spent four days there leading to the spring game.
- USC target WR CJ Smith of Orlando was offered by Georgia.
- OG Rakim Cooper (6-4 280) of Oakdale, CT committed to Coastal Carolina.
