Paint Branch (MD) three-star athlete Octavian Smith made a notable decision in his recruitment on Friday after announcing his decommitment from Northwestern, nearly exactly three months after he announced his verbal.
“I was thinking on that decision for a while and part of it was I just wanted to be sure,” Smith told Inside the Black and Gold. “I did think it was too early and I thought long and hard on it, had talked with myself, prayed on it, talked with my family and coaches and just went with my heart and gut. Northwestern, they’re not out of the equation and they’re still in it with me but I just want to be 100% comfortable.”
Coming out of his pledge, Smith holds a top five of Duke, Maryland, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, and Penn State. Maryland was a school that showed interest prior to and during his commitment to Northwestern and now, the three-star athlete will head to College Park this weekend when the Terps host Kent State for the final non-conference game.
“Me and coach are supposed to hit up Maryland this weekend to watch the Kent State game so I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “Being in contact with coach [Mike] Locksley and them, I like what they’re doing there. I like his philosophy in terms of his investment and what he’s trying to create there, all the big-time players that are local and trying to get them to stay home. He also started a mentorship program, which is big in terms of building their leadership and their character.” Outside linebackers coach Ron Zook is leading the chase as Smith adds “he’s a cool dude.”
Smith made it to Maryland’s campus this summer when Paint Branch attended the 7-on-7 back on July 30, but this weekend will give the Paint Branch star a chance to see the Terps’ scheme and style in-depth. “I want to see them come out with a dub because they’re going against my cousin, Marquez Cooper on Kent State, so I’ll be pulling for him but it’ll be nice to see Maryland pull out the dub.”
While the senior serves as the quarterback at Paint Branch, Smith carries the athlete tag across all schools in his top five and the Terps are no exception. “I like it. It shows my versatility and the whole recruiting process, a lot of coaches have hit me and were like ‘we have an issue. I don’t know where to play you, I don’t know what position’ so they ask me where I like to play and I tell them I’m open, honestly. As time went on, which also played a part in my decommitment, I feel like I make plays with the ball in my hand so I feel that I’m leaning towards offense at the next level and maybe some DB depending on where I go.”
The only timetable that Smith holds himself to is the February signing period as the 6-foot-1, 170-pound knows how he’ll ensure he makes a thought-out commitment this time around. “My coaches, the coaching staff talking with me and just making sure I’m totally comfortable.”
Smith is rated a three-star prospect and an 86 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the 18th-best prospect in Maryland.