The office staff at Summerville High School points to the mailroom for evidence of Darin Smalls’ growing celebrity.
For every piece of inbound mail directed to a teacher, there are three things for Smalls, a standout cornerback for the Green Wave and one of the top instate prospects for the Class of 2014.
The Gamecocks were the first to offer a scholarship to Smalls in early December and “definitely” are the leaders for his services at this stage in the recruiting process.
“I’ve been there a lot,” Smalls said. “I love the atmosphere. I love the coaches, the fans. I love everything about South Carolina.”
The consensus three-star prospect is the top-rated defensive back in South Carolina for 2014 and the 16th best instate player, according to 247SportsComposite, which factors in all rankings.
Smalls (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) last season had 58 tackles and five interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns. He also had more than 600 return yards and three scores.
He had six interceptions his sophomore season, two of those returns for touchdowns, to go with 60 tackles.
Smalls also has speed on his resume, with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash time, according to Rivals. He was on Summerville’s 4x100 meter relay state championship team in 2012.
Colleges are recruiting him as a corner or safety, as well as a return man. He will also play receiver as a senior at Summerville, but his future is on defense.
“Mostly because I’m physical,” Smalls said. “I don’t take getting beat lightly. I guess that’s what they see on my film. They like that about me.”
Being the first to offer carries a lot of weight, Smalls said, as does USC’s history with sending defensive backs to the NFL. He also likes Brown’s coaching style.
For every piece of inbound mail directed to a teacher, there are three things for Smalls, a standout cornerback for the Green Wave and one of the top instate prospects for the Class of 2014.
The Gamecocks were the first to offer a scholarship to Smalls in early December and “definitely” are the leaders for his services at this stage in the recruiting process.
“I’ve been there a lot,” Smalls said. “I love the atmosphere. I love the coaches, the fans. I love everything about South Carolina.”
The consensus three-star prospect is the top-rated defensive back in South Carolina for 2014 and the 16th best instate player, according to 247SportsComposite, which factors in all rankings.
Smalls (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) last season had 58 tackles and five interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns. He also had more than 600 return yards and three scores.
He had six interceptions his sophomore season, two of those returns for touchdowns, to go with 60 tackles.
Smalls also has speed on his resume, with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash time, according to Rivals. He was on Summerville’s 4x100 meter relay state championship team in 2012.
Colleges are recruiting him as a corner or safety, as well as a return man. He will also play receiver as a senior at Summerville, but his future is on defense.
“Mostly because I’m physical,” Smalls said. “I don’t take getting beat lightly. I guess that’s what they see on my film. They like that about me.”
Being the first to offer carries a lot of weight, Smalls said, as does USC’s history with sending defensive backs to the NFL. He also likes Brown’s coaching style.