USC commit Shawn Smith can do it all with ball in his hands

Watching a Brunswick High football game can be a challenge if your mission is to keep up with where Shawn Smith is lined up for the next play.

Coaches are known to utilize the South Carolina commitment at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick return. Defensive back isn’t out of the question, but it’s not where Smith’s heart is.

“I could see myself playing defense, but I’d rather play offense and make people miss and get in the end zone for a touchdown,” Smith said. “If I make one person miss, I’m gone. That’s how I feel. I like having the ball in my hands at all times.”

The 5-foot-11, 168-pound Smith committed to the Gamecocks on April 30 over Miami as a slot receiver. His skill set reminds his high school coach of versatile Los Angeles Rams receiver Tavon Austin.

“He’s that type of player that everybody’s looking for: slot guys, the Tavon Austin-type kids that can do it all,” Brunswick coach Larry Harold Jr. said. “He’s just a versatile, all-around player.”

Smith was recruited by the previous Gamecocks staff and attended last season’s USC-Kentucky game at Williams-Brice Stadium. He recalled enjoying the atmosphere.

His interest escalated once Bryan McClendon joined Will Muschamp’s staff. McClendon had recruited Smith since his ninth-grade season on behalf of the Georgia Bulldogs.

“I always liked him at UGA and he was recruiting me heavily,” Smith said. “He’s just a good man. He cares about his players. He cares about the position he coaches. I feel like I’ll get better playing under him.”

Smith had 33 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns to go with 75 carries for 509 yards and seven more scores this past season. As a sophomore, he had 33 catches for 485 yards and four touchdowns, with 101 carries for 624 yards and nine scores.

He is considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports’ Composite ranking, which factors in all networks. He credits his speed and ability to catch the ball as being equally strong, though his coach said there is room for improvement.

“He’s fast, quick twitch, can play in open space well,” Harold said. “He plays a lot of outside receiver for us, but he’s a natural slot receiver, runs real good routes, can stop on a dime. We have to work on his consistency with his hands. At times, he tends to lose focus because he’s worried about making the defender miss and sometimes he’ll drop a ball.”

Smith is the Gamecocks’ lone committed receiver for the 2017 class. Coaches told him USC will sign four receivers this cycle. He doesn’t plan to graduate early, but that doesn’t mean he’s not looking forward to his time at South Carolina.

“I felt like South Carolina was home because it’s not too far from Brunswick,” Smith said. “It’s only three hours. Miami is eight hours. I didn’t want to have my family so far away from me.”

This story was originally published May 22, 2016 at 5:24 PM.