Bayside High Star Athlete Chase Smith Commits to University of Miami Over FSU, UF and Auburn

By  //  August 28, 2020

picked Miami over Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma and FSU

BREVARD COUNTY • BAYSIDE, FLORIDA – Palm Bay Bayside Top247 athlete Chase Smith told 247Sports and InsideTheU on Thursday that he has given a verbal commitment to the Miami Hurricanes.

“I’m extremely excited,” Smith said over the phone.

“It’s just a place that I’m very familiar with. My dad went there, my mom went there and my brother went there. It’s not too far so I feel really comfortable and like I’m going to fit in there.”

Smith, who 247Sports pegs as the nation’s No. 12 athlete this cycle, picked Miami over Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma and FSU. He is the son of former UM tight end Willie Smith, who was an All-American in 1985 before making his way to the NFL.

While Smith has made plays on both sides of the ball at the high school level, he’s viewed by the folks in Coral Gables as a linebacker or striker at the next level given his lengthy 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and ability to get sideline to sideline.

As a junior, Smith caught 50 passes for 716 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. The Space Coast Daily-Friday Night Locker Room selection also totaled 72 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions on defense.

Miami’s Jonathan Patke and Blake Baker get credit for the commitment. Ephraim Banda was also involved in the process.

On offense, his ability at wide receiver to catch the football at its highest point, while using his big frame and win one-on-one battles in the air, is noticeable to those who watch him play.

On offense, his ability at wide receiver to catch the football at its highest point, while using his big frame and win one-on-one battles in the air, is noticeable to those who watch him play.

His route running ability and instincts to find creases in the defense can make him a nightmare for defensive coaches when he uses his size and speed.

Smith’s height makes him a difficult matchup for a cornerback. If you defend him with a linebacker, he can use that speed to beat most linebackers off the line.

On defense, Smith can come off the edge on the defensive line or use his speed and height at linebacker to win battles in the middle of the field. Smith has great closing speed and is tenacious when it comes to tackling.

His great instincts and knowing where the football is to make plays on it will be sure to translate well at the next level.

The Space Coast Daily–Friday Night Locker Room team is Brevard’s No. 1 Source for Sports.

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