University of South Carolina redshirt junior defensive back Cam Smith has been named preseason first team All-America by ESPN. The news was announced Wednesday.
Smith, a 6-0, 188-pounder from Blythewood, S.C., earned second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press a year ago after leading the team with 14 passes defended, including three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He allowed multiple catches in just two of 11 games played and only 15 catches on 32 targets throughout the season.
He has been listed on multiple pre-season All-SEC and All-America teams and numerous watch lists this summer, including the Jim Thorpe Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik watch lists. Earlier this week, he earned a spot on the preseason second team All-America unit as selected by the Associated Press.
Smith allowed multiple catches in just two of 11 games played last season. He played nickel this spring for the Gamecocks and takes away a lot of what offenses are trying to do in the passing game. He's expected to have an even greater impact on the Gamecocks defense going into this year.
The Gamecocks will open the 2022 season at home against Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 3. Game time is set for 7:30 pm at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
