Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
While the redshirt junior’s been bounced around a lot, he’s hopefully found a home at WR.
Jamari Smith
Redshirt Junior
Cornerback
5’10”, 210
Jacksonville, FL
Recruitment
Smith was the 14th-rated all-purpose back in the class of 2013. Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Penn State offered him along with the Gamecocks, but it was Carolina that eventually won out for his services after he was recruited by Steve Spurrier Jr. and Everette Sands (who ironically are both no longer here).
College Career
It’s been a career that’s seen Smith get bounced around a bit. Follow along if you can: After a true freshman campaign in 2013 that saw him moved to CB in camp, then back to RB later in the season, he appeared to have his star turn against Coastal Carolina (10 carries, 103 yards and a score) in the Gamecocks’ 70-10 whitewashing of the Chants in 2013. Then, he broke his foot during the 2014 preseason. After redshirting, he was slotted back at CB before the 2015 preseason with a few reps at WR before moving to WR full time in the spring.
2016 Outlook
With the wide receiver spot being a position of much need heading into 2016, the Gamecocks hope that they have finally found some stability for Smith as a first-string WR. A new offensive system installed by Kurt Roper will hopefully play to his strengths as a speedy athlete (4.4 40) that could be used in several ways: as a legitimate downfield threat and/or on slant patterns toward the middle of the field, or in end around/jet sweep packages (given his RB skillset) similar to how I envisioned Lorenzo Nuñez being used.