Manning High School’s Aaron Smith recently signed to play at South Carolina State, where he will fill a linebacker position. Smith was also offered scholarships to Wofford and Alabama A&M, but would eventually choose SC State.
“We were so excited,” said Smith’s mentor Katrina Space, who he affectionately calls Auntie. “He has played so many positions, and now he’s been assigned to play linebacker. He’s been playing football pretty much his whole life.”
Smith spent time at several different training camps, and went on several tours with colleges that had interest in him.
“I was playing receiver, and SC State told me they wanted me to play linebacker,” said Smith. “I got invited to a few different colleges, but I knew that SC State was for me.”
Alabama A&M offered him a position as wide reciever, and Wofford offered him a spot next. After this, SC State offered him a position, and his Wofford offer was pulled.
“I already had a really good scholarship from SC State, so I decided that was the best fit for me,” said Smith.
South Carolina State is located in Orangeburg. The Bulldogs had a great 2019 season, finishing with an 8-3 record overall and 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. They would finished tied with North Carolina A&T.
Last season the Bulldogs had 14 linebacker on their roster. Four of those were graduating seniors. Smith will look to bolster the linebacking core this upcoming season in Orangeburg.
The SC State Bulldogs will open up 2020 against the Grambling State Tigers in Atlanta, GA.
