Former South Carolina safety DQ Smith commits to ACC program
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Former South Carolina safety DQ Smith has committed to Virginia Tech, which is set to open its 2026 season on Saturday. Smith played 4 seasons in Columbia and is eligible to play in 2026 thanks to a Louisiana court case, and because he did not sign an NFL contract after going undrafted this past offseason.
Smith is expected to practice with James Franklin’s new squad on Tuesday, according to a report from 247Sports’ Kolby Crawford.
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Smith started 45 games for South Carolina starting in 2022, despite being a 3-star prospect out of high school. He proved he belonged on the field, totaling 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, including an interception returned for a touchdown against Notre Dame.
For his college career, Smith has collected 228 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 5 interceptions, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He brings even more experience to a Virginia Tech unit that’s boasts the most combined snaps of any secondary in the country, according to 247Sports’ Cody Nagel.
Virginia Tech kicks off the James Franklin era on Sept. 5 as the Hokies face off against VMI.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
