Florida QB Riley Smith Talking With Pitt

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Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has talked with a handful of quarterback prospects since joining Pitt the latest being one from the Sunshine State.

Riley Smith (6-4, 200) is a Pro-Style quarterback from Jacksonville, Florida and within the last couple of weeks has been in contact with both Watson and Pat Narduzzi.

“Just recently actually like a week or two ago. We’ve talked and they’ve been telling me they’re doing up there and I know they have a great program because Nathan Peterman went to my high school and I communicate with him a lot,” said Smith.

Smith says that his conversations with Watson haven’t been that heavy and they’re just getting to know each other. However, Watson has complimented his overall game.

Courtesy of Riley Smith

“I feel that I have a great game IQ. I can tell everything that’s happening on the field. Plus, I feel I have strong leadership skills, I’m very competitive and I’m very accurate throwing the ball and can get the ball to the receivers where it needs to be on time.”

I asked Smith more about his relationship with Peterman and the influence that he’s had on his game.

“He’s been a huge influence on me and has actually been my idol since I was growing up. I’ve known him since middle school and I remember when he was in high school, I went to every one of his games.”

“He’s add a huge impact on my desire to play football and I’ve learned a lot of from. This past season we talked a lot and he’s been helping me out with my mindset. It’s just been awesome to be able to talk to him and learn from him after looking up to him for so many years,” said Smith.

What’s been the biggest thing that Peterman has talked with Smith about over the last few months?

Courtesy of Riley Smith

“Patience. Working on your craft and not worrying about how’s going to offer you or how offers you have. He’s been telling me to just work on getting better and the offers will role in. Just keep working and grinding,” said Smith.

247 Sports rates Smith as a 3-star recruit with over 20+ offers but none yet from Power Five schools.  Some of his bigger offers are from Akron, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Charlotte, Harvard, Princeton, Western Kentucky and Yale.

While he appreciates every offer that he’s gotten, Smith admits getting one from a Power Five school would be a big deal.

“It would be huge and a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play at a big time school so I’d be very relieved after all this hard work I’ve been trying to put in for that moment.”