2020 OL Antonio Smith is a rare breed in college football recruiting these days.
The Vanguard High star has been a Miami commit since March and hasn’t wavered on his pledge whatsoever in the months since.
“Everything is going good with Miami, still committed,” Smith said. “I ain’t going anywhere, still love Miami. That’s my team and we’re making it to the national championship soon.”
Since his commitment to UM, Smith has received attention and offers from schools around the country like Oklahoma, Auburn, Michigan State, and Nebraska. However, Smith has shut his recruitment down completely and isn’t considering other programs.
“1,000% Miami,” Smith said. “No more talking to coaches, no visits, no nothing. It’s all about Miami.”
The Hurricanes are off to a slow start in Manny Diaz’s first year as head coach, sitting at 2-2 before getting into the heart of ACC play. Despite some struggles, Smith feels that UM is on a verge of a breakthrough under Diaz.
“I think the team is doing very well. We’re young, so there’s still a lot of teaching and learning to do,” Smith said. “We’re going to get back to blowing teams out soon.”
Miami’s offensive line certainly needs some work, as they are second to last in the country in sacks given up with 18, but Smith is confident that this young line will continue to grow together.
“We’re doing pretty good. We struggled some, but it’s ok, we’re going to be fine,” Smith said of the OL. “We’re going lock things up this year across the line. They are really good, just need a little more time under their belt and they’ll be dominant.”
UM has started 2 true freshmen on the OL this season in Zion Nelson and Jakai Clark, something that Smith believes is attractive to recruits like himself in that the best players will play.
“Yes sir, it is most definitely (attractive). If Miami starts two young freshmen on the OL, that means anyone can come in and start,” Smith said.
While Smith hasn’t visited UM for a game yet this season, he says he’ll be in the stands for when the Canes play Virginia Tech on October 5th. He is also on track to graduate early in December and enroll at Miami in time for spring ball.
In the meantime, Smith is playing out his senior season at Vanguard. At 6-3, Smith says he’s up to 290 pounds now, a gain of 20 pounds over the offseason.
“Senior season is going good. I put on a little bit of good weight and I’m trying to get used to the weight now,” Smith said. “But it’s been going good, a lot of pancakes. I almost got thrown out one game for being too aggressive, but besides that, it’s been all good.”
Vanguard is 2-1 on the season right now, with an upcoming game against Carol City on tap this weekend. Although he is being recruited to play on the interior of the line at Miami, Smith has played both left and right tackle for the Knights this year. As one of the best linemen on his team, Smith said that is where he is most needed.
“I kind of like tackle, but I’m doing what’s best for my team,” Smith said. “I’ll play all positions if you need me to, but I do kind of like it.”
Aside from working for a state championship with his current teammates at Vanguard, Smith has been taking the time to get to know his future teammates at UM. According to Smith, Miami’s 2020 class is closer than ever right now and is ready to make waves in the program.
“We all talk about football and stuff in this little group chat,” Smith said. “We’ll be making jokes and we compete to see who has the most drip and everything like that. Category20, we are looking good, very, very good.”
The Vanguard High star has been a Miami commit since March and hasn’t wavered on his pledge whatsoever in the months since.
“Everything is going good with Miami, still committed,” Smith said. “I ain’t going anywhere, still love Miami. That’s my team and we’re making it to the national championship soon.”
Since his commitment to UM, Smith has received attention and offers from schools around the country like Oklahoma, Auburn, Michigan State, and Nebraska. However, Smith has shut his recruitment down completely and isn’t considering other programs.
“1,000% Miami,” Smith said. “No more talking to coaches, no visits, no nothing. It’s all about Miami.”
The Hurricanes are off to a slow start in Manny Diaz’s first year as head coach, sitting at 2-2 before getting into the heart of ACC play. Despite some struggles, Smith feels that UM is on a verge of a breakthrough under Diaz.
“I think the team is doing very well. We’re young, so there’s still a lot of teaching and learning to do,” Smith said. “We’re going to get back to blowing teams out soon.”
Miami’s offensive line certainly needs some work, as they are second to last in the country in sacks given up with 18, but Smith is confident that this young line will continue to grow together.
“We’re doing pretty good. We struggled some, but it’s ok, we’re going to be fine,” Smith said of the OL. “We’re going lock things up this year across the line. They are really good, just need a little more time under their belt and they’ll be dominant.”
UM has started 2 true freshmen on the OL this season in Zion Nelson and Jakai Clark, something that Smith believes is attractive to recruits like himself in that the best players will play.
“Yes sir, it is most definitely (attractive). If Miami starts two young freshmen on the OL, that means anyone can come in and start,” Smith said.
While Smith hasn’t visited UM for a game yet this season, he says he’ll be in the stands for when the Canes play Virginia Tech on October 5th. He is also on track to graduate early in December and enroll at Miami in time for spring ball.
In the meantime, Smith is playing out his senior season at Vanguard. At 6-3, Smith says he’s up to 290 pounds now, a gain of 20 pounds over the offseason.
“Senior season is going good. I put on a little bit of good weight and I’m trying to get used to the weight now,” Smith said. “But it’s been going good, a lot of pancakes. I almost got thrown out one game for being too aggressive, but besides that, it’s been all good.”
Vanguard is 2-1 on the season right now, with an upcoming game against Carol City on tap this weekend. Although he is being recruited to play on the interior of the line at Miami, Smith has played both left and right tackle for the Knights this year. As one of the best linemen on his team, Smith said that is where he is most needed.
“I kind of like tackle, but I’m doing what’s best for my team,” Smith said. “I’ll play all positions if you need me to, but I do kind of like it.”
Aside from working for a state championship with his current teammates at Vanguard, Smith has been taking the time to get to know his future teammates at UM. According to Smith, Miami’s 2020 class is closer than ever right now and is ready to make waves in the program.
“We all talk about football and stuff in this little group chat,” Smith said. “We’ll be making jokes and we compete to see who has the most drip and everything like that. Category20, we are looking good, very, very good.”
