Before five-star became an NFL standout and social media star, he made a name for himself as a wide receiver at the University of Southern California (USC).
Quick Facts:
- School: USC
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Years Active: 2014-2016
College Career Stats:
| Year | Games | Receptions | Rec. Yards | Yards/Rec | Rec. TDs | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 | 54 | 724 | 13.4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 89 | 1,454 | 16.3 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 70 | 914 | 13.1 | 10 | 5 | 27 | 0 |
| Career | 40 | 213 | 3,092 | 14.5 | 25 | 6 | 31 | 0 |
High School Career:
Smith-Schuster was a five-star prospect at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, and ranked among the nation’s top athletes in the 2014 recruiting class. Playing both wide receiver and safety, he excelled on both sides of the ball.
- Senior Season: 71 tackles despite battling injuries.
- Junior Season: 49 receptions for 752 yards and 9 TDs on offense, along with 51 tackles and 6 interceptions on defense.
- Achievements: Led Long Beach Poly to the 2012 CIF Pac-5 Division championship.
College Highlights and Records:
Smith-Schuster and USC went 27-13 during his time with the team, including a dramatic win in the 2016 Rose Bowl against Penn State. He recorded 7 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Records:
- Most receiving TDs in a single game by a USC freshman (3).
- 3rd in USC single-season receiving yards (1,454 in 2015).
- 4th in USC career receptions (213).
- 7th in USC single-season receptions (89 in 2015).
Awards and Honors:
- 2016: Second-Team All-Pac-12
- 2015: Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, First-Team All-Pac-12, Second-Team All-American (AP, FWAA, SN)
- 2014: Freshman All-American (SN), Second-Team All-Pac-12
Smith-Schuster’s stellar collegiate career paved the way for his NFL success, showcasing his versatility, playmaking ability, and knack for rising to the occasion in big moments.
