Jabari Smith of Jones High knows exactly what it means to have a big, breakout junior season in high school football.
After hauling in 54 catches for more than 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns last season, Smith picked up recruiting attention he never had before. He received scholarship offers from the likes of UCF, USF, Kansas State and New Mexico State among 12 Football Bowl Subdivision programs.
Only one, however, stuck out to Smith, who committed to the FAU Owls on Friday.
“I’ve been to FAU at least like 10 times in my life and it always felt home there,” Smith said. “I went there on a couple of unofficials, went there in the summer, took pictures, met the coaching staff and it just felt like home.”
Smith, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver, was recruited to FAU to join head coach Willie Taggart’s crew by player personnel coordinator David Kelly and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales.
“Committing took a lot of stress off my shoulders and it’s like I just feel free now,” said Smith, who will join former Jones players in defensive lineman Evan Anderson, and receivers Je’Quan Burton and A’Ceon Cobb.
“Recruiting has been real fun, and stressful too, but you got to take away the stressful side and just enjoy it,” Smith said.
He is the fourth 2023 Jones player to commit this week. Tight end Dylan Wade and receiver Derrick Rogers committed to Maryland on Monday, and offensive lineman Xavier Abera, who has played only one year of football, committed to Ohio U. on Wednesday.
Offensive lineman Camren Lindsey is expected to commit this weekend, and five commitments before the season even starts is the most ever for Jones High.
