https://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs...cle_78fb6ff1-3bd1-5bab-9c06-e5cab33ed46a.html
But only one Power Five school has pulled the trigger on an actual offer. And that's a key reason why Smothers doesn't hesitate when asked where Nebraska stands among his suitors.
"No. 1," Smothers said. "Yes sir, No. 1. They just like everything about me."
His speed is the headliner. A consensus three-star prospect ranked as high as the No. 8 dual-threat QB in his class by Rivals, he clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds at Ohio State last month and qualified for the state track meet in the 400-meter dash as a freshman and 100 last spring (11.05 seconds). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect ran for 719 yards and eight touchdowns on 110 carries (6.5 yards per carry) last fall while leading an read-option-heavy spread attack not unlike Scott Frost's.
"He's extremely explosive," said Cody Gross, Smothers' coach at Athens High School. "He has the ability to go the distance every time he touches the ball, which is every play."
Nebraska was at the top of my board," Smothers said. "Right now, it's going to take a lot for me not to go there."
Gross said Smothers is looking for a cultural and schematic fit in his evaluation of schools. It's clear the Huskers check both boxes.
"I know that he thinks very, very highly of Nebraska," Gross said. "And part of that would be through the interest that they've shown — I know that goes a long way. And he likes what UCF did, he likes what Coach Frost did. And he's always sort of liked Oregon. I think it's very intriguing because of what that offense has done through the years that he's going to follow that."
Smothers — who plans to make a commitment before his junior season and eventually be an early enrollee — said NU coaches told him they will take just one QB in the class.
A quick verbal pledge could make him Nebraska's first 2020 commit.
"I'm kind of still deciding everything and trying to take it all in," Smothers said. "But hopefully soon, because if I wait too long, my chance could be gone."
But only one Power Five school has pulled the trigger on an actual offer. And that's a key reason why Smothers doesn't hesitate when asked where Nebraska stands among his suitors.
"No. 1," Smothers said. "Yes sir, No. 1. They just like everything about me."
His speed is the headliner. A consensus three-star prospect ranked as high as the No. 8 dual-threat QB in his class by Rivals, he clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds at Ohio State last month and qualified for the state track meet in the 400-meter dash as a freshman and 100 last spring (11.05 seconds). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect ran for 719 yards and eight touchdowns on 110 carries (6.5 yards per carry) last fall while leading an read-option-heavy spread attack not unlike Scott Frost's.
"He's extremely explosive," said Cody Gross, Smothers' coach at Athens High School. "He has the ability to go the distance every time he touches the ball, which is every play."
Nebraska was at the top of my board," Smothers said. "Right now, it's going to take a lot for me not to go there."
Gross said Smothers is looking for a cultural and schematic fit in his evaluation of schools. It's clear the Huskers check both boxes.
"I know that he thinks very, very highly of Nebraska," Gross said. "And part of that would be through the interest that they've shown — I know that goes a long way. And he likes what UCF did, he likes what Coach Frost did. And he's always sort of liked Oregon. I think it's very intriguing because of what that offense has done through the years that he's going to follow that."
Smothers — who plans to make a commitment before his junior season and eventually be an early enrollee — said NU coaches told him they will take just one QB in the class.
A quick verbal pledge could make him Nebraska's first 2020 commit.
"I'm kind of still deciding everything and trying to take it all in," Smothers said. "But hopefully soon, because if I wait too long, my chance could be gone."