Miami lands commitment from dynamic WR Brashard Smith, part of vaunted ‘Palmetto Five’
So far, the summer has gone about as well on the recruiting trail as the Miami Hurricanes could possibly ask for. The next target: The so-called “Palmetto Five.”
On Sunday, Miami added another one of those standouts from Pinecrest Palmetto. Brashard Smith, one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in South Florida, orally committed to the Hurricanes.
Smith announced his commitment on Twitter and said his recruitment is “ShutDown.”
Smith was previously committed to the Florida Gators before he backed off his pledge in May. The three-star wide receiver picked Miami from a top group which also included the Auburn Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks and Florida. Smith last visited Coral Gables in January for a junior day before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted an ongoing dead period starting in March.
The Hurricanes now hold commitments from two members of the Panthers’ lauded Class of 2021. Four-star defensive tackle Savion Collins committed to Miami way back in 2018 and has stuck by his commitment even as the Gators have pressed hard for his services. The Hurricanes are also finalists for the other three members of the “Palmetto Five:” five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, five-star cornerback Jason Marshall and four-star safety Corey Collier.
Last season, Smith was the centerpiece of the Panthers offense as they won 10 games in a highly competitive region of Class 8A. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound receiver caught 36 passes for a team-leading 628 yards and 13 touchdowns. Smith, who also has experience as a running back, added another 17 yards on four carries, plus a kick-return touchdown and a two-point conversion catch. Although he’s only the No. 353 overall prospect in the 247Sports.com composite rankings for 2021 class, Smith secured an invitation to the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game based on his production as a junior and his dynamic offensive skill set. He was also a first-team all-county selection by the Miami Herald.
The wideout’s commitment comes just five days after Miami managed one of its biggest recruiting wins ever, securing a pledge from five-star athlete James Williams on Tuesday. Smith’s commitment also pushes the Hurricanes back up to No. 10 in the national recruiting rankings for this cycle.
Smith is the 20th player to join Miami’s class -- 19 of whom either currently live in the Miami metropolitan area or grew up in the area. Smith is also becomes the 11th member of the class who earned first-team all-county honors from the Herald last year. He’s the third true wide receiver in the class, joining Miami Northwestern’s Romello Brinson and Plantation’s Jacolby George. Fort Myers Bishop Verot athlete Malik Curtis is also primarily a wide receiver in high school, but Miami is recruiting him as a defensive back. The Hurricanes also have two tight ends in the class with Northwestern’s Kahlil Brantley and Elijah Arroyo from Independence Frisco, Texas.
This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 7:01 PM.
