Boise State roster countdown 2020: Day 3, Riley Smith

We’re so close to what would have been the season. As much as it pains me to draw my part of the countdown to a close without the hurrah of a season around the corner, I am happy to write about today’s countdown player — Riley Smith

#3, Riley Smith, Redshirt Sophomore, Tight End (Quarterback?)

Stats

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 230lbs

High School: Bartram Trail HS (St. Augustine, FL)

How’d he get to the Blue™?

Originally a consensus 3-star QB prospect, Riley Smith was a highly decorated recruit out of Florida. With offers ranging from more than half of the Ivy League to heavy hitters in the G5, Riley settled on Boise State in early 2018, and enrolled for school that fall.

Nickname

“Captain America”

Don’t use any foul language around him.

Look-a-like

The OBNUG lookalike predictor says he’s a dead ringer for Ian Harding of Pretty Little Liars, so who are we to argue.

Career Highlights

As of 2020, Riley hasn’t really gotten a shot to produce any highlights at Boise State. That’s not to say he doesn’t have any, though...

2020 Prospectus

After the QB competition cleared up in 2019, with Hank-Chase-Jaylon being the 1-2-3 option, the coaches convinced Riley he’d be a great fit at tight end. It’s not uncommon for skilled athletes at Boise State to switch up positions for some playing time. With the recent graduation of Jaylon Henderson and transfer portal entrance of Zach Matlock, however, we could be seeing Riley Smith back in the QB room. It’s still crowded, what with the addition of Jack Sears and Andy Peters, but he’s still listing himself as a QB/TE, so you never know. Two years of backup experience and playbook knowledge could be valuable behind two QB’s with recent injury histories.

His pro-style play and running ability could make him a nice counter-punch for Hank should Chase get hurt, and his large body frame is a huge asset at tight end. It’s an abundance of options for the coaching staff. And not to put the cart before the horse, but Boise State’s history of trick plays makes us think that having a tight end with QB chops could be a kick. Whatever position he ends up in, Riley Smith should be fun to watch.

Is he on Twitter?

You’re darned tootin’.

Completely made up fact

Riley is a fan of spicy foods, and once held the record for most stuff Datil peppers eaten in one sitting at St. Augustine’s Datil Pepper Festival.