FAU Football Recruit Recap: Korel Smith

Part two of our weekly series highlighting each of the 19 players that signed with FAU on National Signing Day

Sun Sentinel

Photo of Miramar defensive back Korel Smith (right) courtesy of Michael Laughlin | South Florida Sun Sentinel

Brendan Feeney, Sports Editor
February 10, 2016

Defensive back Korel Smith has been tied to Florida Atlantic since before he was ever recruited.

His two older sisters, Shavonne Adams and KaJanee’ Smith, attended Florida Atlantic. Adams graduated in 2013 as an art major, while Smith is currently a junior majoring in psychology.

“[I was] familiar with the campus and I always had [FAU] as my No. 1 choice since 10th grade,” said Smith. “When my first sister went to FAU, she wanted me to go to the [football] game. Ever since then, I been coming to the FAU games.”

In his sophomore year of high school, Smith recollects a class assignment where he had to state what colleges he wanted to attend. FAU topped his list.

As a bonus, the way head coach Charlie Partridge and the rest of his staff recruited him made the decision even easier.

“I love all the coaching staff,” said Smith. “They treated me like I was family and I wasn’t even there yet.”

The Miramar High School senior also said he admires the way Partridge is trying to change FAU into a winning program. Now that he has signed, Smith aspires to make an immediate impact on the team.

“I want to play early,” Smith said. “I know my talent is going to carry the rest, I just got to get in early and make an impact.”

Smith hopes to make his impact worthy enough of wearing jersey number seven, which is the same number that cornerback Cre’von Leblanc wore during his career with the Owls. LeBlanc, who will be graduating and has a chance to be selected in the NFL Draft in the upcoming months, reached out to Smith via Twitter.

His exchange with LeBlanc reflected his respect for him, as the defensive back was one of the players Smith looked up to.

“I want his [jersey] number,” Smith chuckled.

And whether he matches Leblanc’s input or not, Smith said he is easily approachable and “open to all criticism and comments.”

However, he also will hold “Owl Nation” to the same expectations.

“The fan base at FAU is growing,” Smith said. “I like the big fan [bases] because they push us, give us enthusiasm, someone to play for.”

Our recruiting recap continues on Monday, Feb. 15, with Fort Pierce Central’s William Davis.

Brendan Feeney is the sports editor of the University Press. To contact him on this or other stories, he can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter.