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Finding the right fit, whether it be on the high school, college or the pro level can make or break a career. Quarterback is arguably the most crucial when it comes to fit. Junior quarterback Cedquan Smith is in his third school in three years and believes that the Western Wildcats (Davie) are the right choice moving forward. Smith made his first appearance with his new team at High School Media Day presented by the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. There were over a hundred high school football teams along with the Wildcats that met with the media.
“I just feel like it is the right choice for me,” said Smith about transferring to Western. “I want to be at a place where they believe in me like I believe in myself.”
Smith was at Miramar last year and transferred to Miami Carol City in the 2019 off-season and engineered the Chiefs seven-on-seven team to a tournament win at the University of Florida. He also helped his team to a runner-up finish at the University of Miami in June as well as a tournament victory for the Carol City based seven-on-seven team Strong Arm at the Football Hotbed Seven-on-Seven Season Opener.
“I had a nice time at the Miami camp. I had a chance to meet some of the UM players and coaches that I wanted to meet for the longest. I think I did a good job at the camp even though we didn’t win.”
He was projected to be the starter of a Miami Carol City, a team that is primed to compete for a state championship in 5A in 2019. Smith currently holds offers from Georgia Southern and Kent State but states that Louisville is his dream school and prefers Florida State in the state of Florida. Smith has a strong relationship with NFL quarterback and Miami native Teddy Bridgewater and considers the former Miami Northwestern quarterback one of his mentors.
“Teddy is one of my inspirations,” said Smith. “I met him at Bunche Park when I was at optimist. We were throwing the ball with each other and he said I had a nice arm. We’ve been contacting each other ever since.”
Smith started his high school career at Miramar and transferred to Carol City because of his familiarity with the coaching staff on the optimist level at North Dade and Bunche Park. The lefty at 5’11” and 173 pounds has been playing at the quarterback position since the age of four and considers himself a pro-style quarterback that can run.
“I wanted to do some damage with those [Carol City] coaches before I left high school but it’s on to the next challenge with Western. I coming full force. I love to compete. I’ve been competing my whole life. Where I’m from there’s always been pressure. I won six super bowls in optimist. I only lost two games in six years.”
New @WHSFball QB @Gip_Nephew5 has bought into @CoachRack75’s philosophy of winning 15 weeks of football. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/nw1G6bARgK
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 4, 2019
Although Smith will now be at Western, his goal of breaking the all-time passing yards record held by former Chief quarterback Daniel Richardson still remains a goal for him. Carol City was bounced out of the playoffs by Miami Central last season and Smith was assumed to be a strong replacement to his predecessor.
“I got two years to break it. I think I’m going to get more than him. I love playing quarterback because the game is based on what I can do with the football.”
Smith was influenced to join Western as he remained in close contact with current Wildcats 2020 receiver Shamarr Wright and 2021 four-star safety James Williams. Western, a virtual unknown when it comes to high school football in the state of Florida advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season in 8A for the second straight year. Western lost three-star quarterback Jesse Rivera to graduation and is looking to continue success in a district with Cypress Bay (Weston), Flanagan (Pembroke Pines), Piper (Sunrise) and West Broward (Pembroke Pines). Smith led the Miramar Patriots to a 26-23 victory over Western in the last game of the regular season in 2018. The win would help the Pats clinch a playoff birth.
“I’m a humble kid. When I hop out of my humble bubble I try to hop back in as soon as possible.”
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