Chaminade’s Smith ready to be part of ’19
Safety has always wanted to be a ’Cane
CORAL GABLES — Like several members of the Hurricanes recruiting class that hail from South Florida, Chaminade-Madonna’s Keontra Smith says he can’t wait to play college football in front of family and friends.
And he knew staying close to home would be a special treat for his mother, Teresa Nuby, which is one of the reasons he chose to pledge to Miami’s 2019 recruiting class on Mother’s Day of all days — even if he’d made the decision to become a Hurricane months earlier.
“I wanted it to be special for her. I told [Miami safeties coach Ephraim] Banda like three months before Mother’s Day, ‘Just wait, Coach. I’m going to commit. I just want to make it special for my mom.’ I took my visits because I earned them. Then Mother’s Day came and it was a big surprise. I had a card I gave her and then right then and there, I committed. I made it
public and I posted it. And the coaches all knew. … It was priceless.”
Smith, a 5-11, 195-pound four-star safety, is one of three Chaminade-Madonna players that has already pledged to the Hurricanes along with defensive end Cameron Williams and cornerback Te’Cory Couch.
The opportunity to play with them, Smith said, was also a factor in his decision to commit to Miami, which as of July 25 had one of the top 20 recruiting classes in the nation, a class the Hurricanes hope improves this weekend when they host their annual Paradise Camp event.
Here, as part of an occasional Sun Sentinel series profiling Miami’s 2019 commitments, a look at Keontra Smith, in his own words:
What was it about Miami that made you feel it was the right place for you?
KS: “First of all, I’m a fan. I’ve always been a fan, since I was a little kid. So that played a big role. But other than that, because it’s home, I get the chance to stay home with my family. If anything happens, I’m right down the street from my parents. I can always come back and ask them for help.”
It sounds like family matters a lot to you and your mom was real excited about your commitment. What about everyone else?
KS: “My dad [Kervin Smith] was proud. He kind of knew that was in my heart and that was something I was going to always do because I’ve always been a [Miami] fan. At first, Miami didn’t offer me. … and I was kind of mad about it [laughter]. But, come on, I’m a fan. I had to think about it, but, you know …”
What kind of player do you think you can be for Miami?
KS: “I’m a hard worker. I’m just ready to get there and work hard. I
want to win a national championship there, so hopefully, we can get that.”
Favorite Hurricane, past or present?
KS: “Sean Taylor, just because of how much of a savage he was on the field. He played hard-nosed football. He hit very hard. That’s something I like to do. I like to hit very hard. He played the same position I play, too.”
What’s been your favorite high school football memory, so far?
KS: “I can say the state championship game, when we won it. As a freshman, we got kicked out by Oxbridge. Then my sophomore year, we made it, but we didn’t finish it. We lost. Coming into my junior year and finishing with my brothers, it was very fun. To finish with our seniors and for the most part, getting that ring, that’s history.”
Aside from football, what would you say you do best?
KS: “I’m really good with kids. I like kids. … I have a lot of nieces and nephews and they’re a big part of my life. We do a lot of community service hours, we do things with kids out here. I do things with kids when we’re out in the community. They see me and I know I inspire some of them. That’s my main motivation with the kids.”
What do you think people would be surprised to learn about you?
KS: “Probably how nice I am. People probably think I’m just bigheaded and confident. I am confident, but I’m not conceited. And I’m good with people. If you talk to me, you’ll get to know me better. ..”
When you have a chance to take a break from football, what do you like to do?
KS: “I like to listen to music. Music is my life. I listen to [former Hurricanes defensive end] Chad Thomas a lot. I listen to a lot of rappers like Young Thug, NBA YoungBoy, Kevin Gates. I’d say the ones that came from nothing inspire me. I listen to their
stories they have and how they rap and you can hear the pain in the music.”
What are you looking forward to about starting your career at Miami?
KS: “Just getting there and improving my game and getting used to a college schedule. … I’m looking forward to all of that.”
Two of your teammates are committed to Miami right now. What will it mean to you to get down to Coral Gables with both of those guys?
KS: “Mainly, it’s just we know we have work to do. We’re not coming here to play around. We’re coming here to do what we have to do and make it to the next level. I could say I’m happy I’m going to school with those guys. Me and TC, we played together on the optimist level. ”
You’re all defensive players. Who gets to wear the Turnover Chain first?
KS: “Oh, come on. Come on. It’s me. I’m going to go down there and catch an interception. I’m looking at my first game. I want my first turnover to come in the first game I play.”
What was it like seeing the Turnover Chain become a thing last year?
KS: “It’s something new. It’s something nobody else has and it’s something swagger-y. It’s like how ‘The U’ used to be back in the day.”
Coach’s Take:
“He’s going to give Miami a lot of energy and speed. He’s aggressive. He’s a football player. He’s talented enough to play on either side of the ball. I really think he’d be a top running back if [former Chaminade-Madonna running back and Auburn signee Shaun Shivers] had not been here. He’s good, but he’s aggressive so he fits what Miami does now.” — Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones on Keontra Smith