Four-star outside linebacker Roquan Smith, one of the top 50 players in the country according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, has announced his choice via Instagram: Georgia.
4-star Roquan Smith commits to Georgia in post-Signing Day announcement
“As you could imagine it’s been tough lately, but I am relieved to say that I am officially committed to The University Of Georgia 100%,” the blue chipper wrote on Instagram.
Student Sports
Smith originally committed to the Bruins during a televised ceremony on National Signing Day, but held off on sending in his National Letter of Intent after news broke that Bruins defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would leave to take a job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Smith’s final four was UCLA, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas A&M, and he said that he was re-opening his recruitment in light of the confusion over Ulbrich’s departure. Ulbrich was Smith’s primary recruiter among the UCLA coaching staff. He also said he won’t be signing a Letter of Intent. In the image below, he has signed financial aid paperwork, however.
From @RoquanSmith1 on Instagram pic.twitter.com/PoFSDz7hr0
— Dawg Sports (@dawgsports) February 13, 2015 The move bumps UGA up to No. 6 in the Composite and drops UCLA to No. 12, with Texas entering the top 10.
Smith is ranked the fifth-best outside linebacker in the country and the fifth-best prospect in the state of Georgia, according to the composite ratings, and has a 0.9764 rating overall. His high school career was filled with accolades, and he was invited to the prestigious Nike “The Opening” showcase. Standing 6’2, 205 pounds, Smith hails from Macon County High School in Montezuma, Ga.
You can read Smith's scouting report from SB Nation's Bud Elliott, who raves about his speed and range:
“Smith is one of the most athletic linebacker recruits in the country. And he needs to be, because at 6’2 and 201 pounds (Atlanta Nike Camp measurements), he is not very big. The first thing Smith will need in college is a lot of time in the weight room. He simply must get stronger at the point of attack.”
“But top schools that typically prefer bigger players are after Smith because he has the athleticism to make up for his marginal size.”
“Smith shows fantastic closing burst in the open field, chasing down ball carriers and either making the tackle, or turning them back inside to pursuit. It seems that players consistently underestimate his closing speed.”
