2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 68 Days (Jaquez Smith)

Written by Matt Smith

68 days remain until kickoff of the 2021 IU football season. The Hoosiers will kick off the season against Iowa on Sept. 4th. Make sure to keep checking the Hoosier Huddle website each day for a new player in the 100-day countdown. The 68th player is freshman Jaquez Smith. 

Jaquez Smith

Height: 6’1’’

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Fairburn, Ga.

Position: Wide Receiver 

Smith is an incoming freshman from the state of Georgia where he was a star wide receiver for head coach Bobby May at Westlake high school. Smith is a four-star recruit according to ESPN and 247sports.

During his high school career, Smith was a three time Atlanta Journal Constitution Preseason All American. He was also named the top receiver by the TD club of Atlanta three times. ESPN ranked Smith as the No. 26 receiver nationally.

During his high school career, Brandon Huffman, of 247sports, put out this scouting report on Smith.

“Trusty receiver with good size and range, strong hands and crisp route running. Able to get yards after contact, difficult to press and superb play strength to catch passes. Good body control and ability to adjust to throws, make the catch, then cut and go. Not a true burner but gets consistent separation. Projects as multi-year Power 5 starter and third-day NFL draft selection,” writes Huffman.

Smith will look to add depth to an already deep receiving core under head coach Tom Allen.