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Name: Shi Smith
Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5’9.5" / 175 lbs.
Hometown: Union, SC
Rating: Consensus four-star
Shi Smith may be one of the bigger hauls of this 2017 recruiting class. Ranked the #2 player in the state behind fellow Gamecock OrTre Smith, Shi spent part of his high school career under the tutelage of former USC quarterback Steve Taneyhill. He registered 57 receptions for over 1300 yards and 12 touchdowns, and while those numbers dipped, it was due to a new system being installed by Taneyhill’s successor at Union.
Strengths: Speed and elusiveness. The recruiting databases list him at a 4.4 40, but he’s reported himself at a 4.2, which might be up for debate but is still extremely fast. That makes him a legitimate downfield threat for the Gamecocks quarterbacks to work with as soon as this upcoming season.
Weaknesses: His overall size may be an issue. Smith is a lanky player (175 pounds) and will need to hit the weight room as soon as he gets on campus to get bigger and stronger to match up to the top cornerbacks in the country in the SEC. He looks to have experienced a growth spurt, so it’s a matter of filling out and bulking up to get himself college-ready.