Former Maryland WR Octavian Smith heads to Hula Bowl

Ahmed Ghafir
6 days ago
2 min read

With his college career in College Park officially complete, former Maryland wide receiver Octavian Smith will play in one more game before he shifts his attention to the next level.

Smith, a former quarterback at Paint Branch (MD), signed with Maryland as a wide receiver in the 2022 class after previously verbally committing to Northwest. While the local buzz pointed to the electric athlete as a potential NFL-caliber defensive back coming out of high school, Smith was pegged on the offensive side of the ball with head coach Mike Locksley high on the local playmaker's ability to add speed to the receiver room.

After watching his role increase in the rotation through his first three seasons, Smith stepped into a starting role in 2025 where he appeared in all 12 games.

Smith finished fourth on the team in catches and third in receiving yards after totaling 43 catches for 529 yards. Smith recorded his 100th career reception on Senior Day vs. Michigan and posted at least three receptions in all but one game as a senior, though he finished his final year without a touchdown. His 107 career receptions ties TE Corey Dyches for the 17th-most in program history, while his 1,210 career receiving yards ranks 25th-most in program history.

“He's a guy that had a bunch of opportunities to leave this area," head coach Mike Locksley said of Smith in 2024.

"Not very many people are surprised by it because Octavian Smith is a really talented player that just a sophomore, junior. He’s got a bright future.”

The Hula Bowl is set to air on January 11 at 12:00 on CBS.

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