Hoosiers Land Commitment From Four-Star, Top-175 Prospect Jaquez Smith
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Photo by DawgPost
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Tom Allen and his staff, particularly wide receivers coach Grant Heard in this case, have hit pay dirt on the recruiting trail on Saturday afternoon. The Hoosiers got great news as four-star wide receiver Jaquez Smith committed to the Hoosiers. Smith is ranked by 247Sports Composite as the 173rd best player in the country and has ben give a 92.58 rating. Smith is the 14th player to commit to Indiana’s 2021 recruiting class. He chose the Hoosiers over offers from 26 other schools including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Smith made his announcement via Twitter saying:
Smith who is from Atlanta, Georgia and attends Westlake High School is listed at 6’1” and 190 pounds. According to Brandon Huffman, a national recruiting editor for 247 Sports, Smith is a “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.”
Smith played the 2019 season at Hapeville Charter Academy and played in six games while catching 12 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Smith would be Indiana’s second-highest rated recruit in the rankings era, behind Stephen Williams (96.27) signed in 2000 and the second four-star wide receiver (Jordyn Williams) in the class and the third four-star player in Indiana’s 2021 class (Williams and Donaven McCully).
The Hoosiers 2021 class is currently ranked 52nd nationally and has an average player rating of 86.80 according to 247Sports, which puts them at 7th in the Big Ten.