Four-star Gamecocks target has made his pick. Here’s what’s next
July 29, 2018
The decision is in.
Now everyone has to wait until the night of August 17 to find out the result.
Westwood defensive back Cam Smith, the No. 2 ranked player from South Carolina in the Class of 2019 by 247Sports, has made his decision on where to play collegiately. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has narrowed his choices to South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and plans to announce his choice after the Redhawks season opener against Lugoff-Elgin.
Smith has already informed the coaches that were recruiting him the hardest.
“It feels great to end the process,” Smith said Sunday afternoon. “It’s been a hectic process with all the ups and downs. It’s great to have the decision before the start of my senior season.”
The return of Smith has been an added bonus. Smith practiced with Westwood the summer before his freshman season but moved to Maryland just before the official start of preseason practice when his mother accepted a job’s mother accepted a job in Maryland. He played for three seasons there, but his return has almost been seamless.
“It’s been great to be back. I played middle school ball with most of the guys and we already have a chemistry together. The first 7-on-7 of the summer, we clicked right away,” Smith said. “It’s been great to be back with the guys and being around them again. I feel better being back here. They had some competition (in Maryland) but there’s a lot more in South Carolina than up there.”
Coach Dustin Curtis, who is entering his third season at Westwood, is pleased to have Smith back in the fold.
“It’s been excellent,” Curtis said. “He’s a great teammate and the guys appreciate having him back around. He’s fitting in with everyone. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and swagger, especially in the secondary.”
Westwood will be looking to improve on its 6-6 finish from a season ago. The Redhawks return 13 starters but are inexperienced at quarterback, running back and linebacker. Curtis believes he’s got some guys in those spots that will be ready to go by the time the opening kickoff comes around.
“We don’t have a lot of experience at those three spots but the talent, potential and depth at those three positions have us excited,” Curtis said. “I think the guys we have this year have a tremendous upside. We like the ability for sure.”
Smith hasn’t played under Curtis yet, but he has expectations for himself and the team this season
“I want to get my first Pick-6 and get over 100 tackles,” Smith said. “We’re trying to eliminate the mistakes that hurt us and cost us games last year. If we can do that, we can finish the season perfect and go into the playoffs with a high seed.”
About Westwood
Coach: Dustin Curtis
Last year’s record: 6-6
Number of starters returning: 13
Key returning players: Cortez Braham, WR; Christan Horn, WR; TJ Blanding, FS; Will Samuel, OLB; Phillip Hedrick, OL; Bryce Broomfield, OL; Avery Pearson, DL
Newcomers to watch: Cam Smith, CB; Deshawn Boyd, RB; Jalen Briggman, RB; Cam Maynard, LB
Schedule
Aug. 17: Lugoff-Elgin; Aug. 24: at Blythewood; Aug. 31; at Lower Richland; Sept. 14: vs. South Aiken; Sept. 21: vs. Fairfield Central; Sept. 28: at South Pointe; Oct. 5: at York; Oct. 12: at Ridge View: Oct. 19: at Lancaster; Oct. 26: vs. Richland Northeast
July 29, 2018
The decision is in.
Now everyone has to wait until the night of August 17 to find out the result.
Westwood defensive back Cam Smith, the No. 2 ranked player from South Carolina in the Class of 2019 by 247Sports, has made his decision on where to play collegiately. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has narrowed his choices to South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and plans to announce his choice after the Redhawks season opener against Lugoff-Elgin.
Smith has already informed the coaches that were recruiting him the hardest.
“It feels great to end the process,” Smith said Sunday afternoon. “It’s been a hectic process with all the ups and downs. It’s great to have the decision before the start of my senior season.”
The return of Smith has been an added bonus. Smith practiced with Westwood the summer before his freshman season but moved to Maryland just before the official start of preseason practice when his mother accepted a job’s mother accepted a job in Maryland. He played for three seasons there, but his return has almost been seamless.
“It’s been great to be back. I played middle school ball with most of the guys and we already have a chemistry together. The first 7-on-7 of the summer, we clicked right away,” Smith said. “It’s been great to be back with the guys and being around them again. I feel better being back here. They had some competition (in Maryland) but there’s a lot more in South Carolina than up there.”
Coach Dustin Curtis, who is entering his third season at Westwood, is pleased to have Smith back in the fold.
“It’s been excellent,” Curtis said. “He’s a great teammate and the guys appreciate having him back around. He’s fitting in with everyone. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and swagger, especially in the secondary.”
Westwood will be looking to improve on its 6-6 finish from a season ago. The Redhawks return 13 starters but are inexperienced at quarterback, running back and linebacker. Curtis believes he’s got some guys in those spots that will be ready to go by the time the opening kickoff comes around.
“We don’t have a lot of experience at those three spots but the talent, potential and depth at those three positions have us excited,” Curtis said. “I think the guys we have this year have a tremendous upside. We like the ability for sure.”
Smith hasn’t played under Curtis yet, but he has expectations for himself and the team this season
“I want to get my first Pick-6 and get over 100 tackles,” Smith said. “We’re trying to eliminate the mistakes that hurt us and cost us games last year. If we can do that, we can finish the season perfect and go into the playoffs with a high seed.”
About Westwood
Coach: Dustin Curtis
Last year’s record: 6-6
Number of starters returning: 13
Key returning players: Cortez Braham, WR; Christan Horn, WR; TJ Blanding, FS; Will Samuel, OLB; Phillip Hedrick, OL; Bryce Broomfield, OL; Avery Pearson, DL
Newcomers to watch: Cam Smith, CB; Deshawn Boyd, RB; Jalen Briggman, RB; Cam Maynard, LB
Schedule
Aug. 17: Lugoff-Elgin; Aug. 24: at Blythewood; Aug. 31; at Lower Richland; Sept. 14: vs. South Aiken; Sept. 21: vs. Fairfield Central; Sept. 28: at South Pointe; Oct. 5: at York; Oct. 12: at Ridge View: Oct. 19: at Lancaster; Oct. 26: vs. Richland Northeast