Video: DQ Smith eager to build off of All-American Freshman season
After an All-American season as a freshman, DQ Smith is destined to have an even bigger role in 2023.
Appearing in all 13 games last year, Smith played multiple positions. He saw snaps at safety, nickle, and even on special teams. As a true freshman he finished the season with 54 tackles, five pass breakups, and two interceptions.
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“In practice, coaches help you gain confidence and players around me as well. If there was one game, it was probably the Kentucky game,” said Smith. “In that Kentucky game I gained a lot of confidence because I made a lot of plays that night. Just continuing to get rep after rep and having some great coaches behind me, it was definitely not too hard for me.”
Smith, who also started in 11 of those 13 games, recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. His interception in the Gator Bowl was returned 47 yards for a touchdown.
“Coach (Torrian) Gray made my job a lot easier… To me, coach Gray is the best defensive backs coach in the country. He’s very strict on detail. Just doing extra ordinary things over and over again. Just having him going into games, we’re gonna have everything we need because our defensive coach knows what he’s looking at.”
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Smith set the bar high as a freshman but he has the talent to build off of it with a more concrete role. With the loss of Devonni Reed, Smith is in line to be a starter at safety alongside fellow sophomore Nick Emmanwori.
“We didn’t really have a bond when we were in high school,” said Smith, who played at Spring Valley while Emmanwori played at Irmo High School. “But coming into college and doing the things we did freshman year, our bond definitely grew. We do a lot of things together like work out and do really everything together. That’s my brother and at the end of the day our bond will grow closer and closer.”
Smith earned three starts at safety, and eight at nickle last season. It’s with that experience that should only help Smith in his transition to a larger role.
