South Carolina football offers hometown defender from championship program

Josh Smith has been committed to Coastal Carolina, but that hasn’t stopped the offers from coming in.

The latest came Thursday as South Carolina offered the Dutch Fork linebacker/defensive end. Smith said Gamecocks defensive coordinator Clayton White called him after practice Thursday to give him the offer.

Smith took an unofficial visit to USC on Saturday for the LSU game. He plans to be back Saturday for the Akron game.

“It means a lot to have a hometown offer,” Smith told The State. “Being at the game last week, I loved the atmosphere, it was actually crazy.

“Coach White said he loved my film and that I’ve just started playing linebacker and I’m doing well so I can only get better.”

The Gamecocks’ offer is the latest for Smith, who committed to Coastal Carolina in April. Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Memphis and North Carolina State have offered him recently. He plans to visit Ole Miss next month and will be going to NC State in October.

“I’m taking these offers as blessings, taking the opportunities and thinking about them heavily,” Smith said.

247Sports Composite ranks Smith as a three-star prospect and 25th-best prospect in SC for the Class of 2025. He plays both linebacker and lines up on the edge at the line of scrimmage for the defending state champion Silver Foxes.

The 6-foot-2, 228-pound Smith is part of a talented Dutch Fork defense that has given up just seven points in three games this season. He has 20 tackles, four for loss and two sacks this season.

Last year, Smith had 63 tackles, 20 for loss, seven sacks and 15 quarterback hurries in helping Dutch Fork to the Class 5A title.