2019 South Broward QB TJ Smith was out at the Rivals 3 Stripe Miami Camp recently and was recognized for his performance as Gatorade MVP of the camp, awarded to the player who shows the most energy and leadership out on the field. While he accepted the honor, Smith felt he deserved another award at the camp as well: QB MVP.
“I honestly feel like I performed the best out there, that’s why I was shocked when I didn’t win QB MVP,” Smith said. “I’ve worked too hard every day to not win MVP when I performed like I was supposed to.”
As a junior on a South Broward team lacking seasoning, Smith’s play went down a notch from his big sophomore season and his performance suffered from a lack of a consistent play-caller. He’ll look to improve as a senior in 2018, though.
“We definitely could have done better, however, we were an inexperienced team, both our offense and defense,” Smith said. “I had 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 1,500 passing yards. I did alright, but my sophomore year ended up being better than my junior year, we went through 4 different offensive coordinators in the past year. So, I did okay, just not as good as I could have done.”
The 6’2” 183 pounder sees himself as a pure quarterback at the next level and won’t change positions just for more college interest. In that department, Smith lists one FBS offer so far, from the USF Bulls, while gaining heavy interest from the likes of Cincinnati, Purdue, Indiana, and Kentucky. But there’s one school he hopes to start hearing from very soon, and, as a double legacy, would likely commit if they offered: the Miami Hurricanes.
“Yes, most definitely actually, that’s my dream school,” Smith said when asked if he’d like to hear from Miami. “I’ve come to one of their practices and I just love how quick everything was moving, and how everything seemed so organized. Also, both my parents went there, my mom played basketball and my dad played football.” (Smith’s father is Travis Smith, who played DB for the Canes from 1988-91 and was a member of UM’s 1989 National Title team. His mother is Dellareese Wilson-Smith, who played for the Miami Women’s Hoops team from 1988-1992 and earned All-Big East honors at PG.)
A good way to earn an offer from the Canes? Play your way into it on the field at Paradise Camp. Although Smith was unable to attend Paradise last year due to a prior commitment, he plans on getting down to the 2018 version of Paradise.
“I went to the camp before Paradise Camp last year (Mark Richt’s summer camp),” Smith explained. “Coach Richt’s son (QB coach Jon Richt) told me to come back to the Paradise Camp, but I had to go out of town. I’ll most definitely be there this year, though.”
The recruiting process is still in it’s infancy for Smith and there’s a long way to go for him at this stage to land on a final decision.
“I honestly have to discuss it more with my parents,” said Smith. “It’s whenever I feel like the time’s right.”
When that one school does become clear though, what will that program have to do to separate itself from the rest?
“I’m looking for love. I want them to show me they want me,” Smith said. “If a school does that, I’ll most likely end up going there, depending on what kind of offense they run and their past history with quarterbacks. I’m just trying to put myself in the best position to go to the next level.”
“I honestly feel like I performed the best out there, that’s why I was shocked when I didn’t win QB MVP,” Smith said. “I’ve worked too hard every day to not win MVP when I performed like I was supposed to.”
As a junior on a South Broward team lacking seasoning, Smith’s play went down a notch from his big sophomore season and his performance suffered from a lack of a consistent play-caller. He’ll look to improve as a senior in 2018, though.
“We definitely could have done better, however, we were an inexperienced team, both our offense and defense,” Smith said. “I had 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 1,500 passing yards. I did alright, but my sophomore year ended up being better than my junior year, we went through 4 different offensive coordinators in the past year. So, I did okay, just not as good as I could have done.”
The 6’2” 183 pounder sees himself as a pure quarterback at the next level and won’t change positions just for more college interest. In that department, Smith lists one FBS offer so far, from the USF Bulls, while gaining heavy interest from the likes of Cincinnati, Purdue, Indiana, and Kentucky. But there’s one school he hopes to start hearing from very soon, and, as a double legacy, would likely commit if they offered: the Miami Hurricanes.
“Yes, most definitely actually, that’s my dream school,” Smith said when asked if he’d like to hear from Miami. “I’ve come to one of their practices and I just love how quick everything was moving, and how everything seemed so organized. Also, both my parents went there, my mom played basketball and my dad played football.” (Smith’s father is Travis Smith, who played DB for the Canes from 1988-91 and was a member of UM’s 1989 National Title team. His mother is Dellareese Wilson-Smith, who played for the Miami Women’s Hoops team from 1988-1992 and earned All-Big East honors at PG.)
A good way to earn an offer from the Canes? Play your way into it on the field at Paradise Camp. Although Smith was unable to attend Paradise last year due to a prior commitment, he plans on getting down to the 2018 version of Paradise.
“I went to the camp before Paradise Camp last year (Mark Richt’s summer camp),” Smith explained. “Coach Richt’s son (QB coach Jon Richt) told me to come back to the Paradise Camp, but I had to go out of town. I’ll most definitely be there this year, though.”
The recruiting process is still in it’s infancy for Smith and there’s a long way to go for him at this stage to land on a final decision.
“I honestly have to discuss it more with my parents,” said Smith. “It’s whenever I feel like the time’s right.”
When that one school does become clear though, what will that program have to do to separate itself from the rest?
“I’m looking for love. I want them to show me they want me,” Smith said. “If a school does that, I’ll most likely end up going there, depending on what kind of offense they run and their past history with quarterbacks. I’m just trying to put myself in the best position to go to the next level.”
