“I’m not going anywhere, Miami is my home.” Interview with 2020 Miami Commit OL Antonio Smith

1. Vanguard is where N’Kosi Perry went to high school, are you close with Kosi? And what was it like to see him making plays last year?

I’m very close with Kosi, that’s my brother. I blocked for him, we talked everything, he’s like another brother to me! And what was it like to see him play, I’m like dang he made me go even harder working out for football and in the classroom, not just on the field but making me a better man seeing him do his thing on the field, I’m like I can do that one day I can make plays. It was fun, had me on the edge of my seat, I’m very impressed with his play!

2. You’ve been all UM since you committed. Talk about what drew you to Miami, and what receiving that offer meant to you.

What drew me into Miami, it was my dream school actually and I wanted to go there since I was 5 or 6. When I arrived at Miami for the junior day it was the atmosphere, the brotherhood, they made you feel like you belong, like they can do something with me on and off the field. The new practice facility, that’s what drew me in further. The coaches liked what they saw on film and they were showing me love! I want to be apart of TNM and that’s my dream, and you know just I love Miami!

3. Did you have a favorite Hurricane growing up?

My favorite hurricane was Ray Lewis. His work ethic, his hunger, determination, grit, everything. I have some from the current Canes; Kosi, DeeJay Dallas, Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney but the most part is Ray Lewis!

4. Is there any lineman you’ve tried to model your game after?

Linemen that I try to model my game after is Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin.

5. What are your thoughts on Manny Diaz, and what it’s like to see all this excitement going on around the program?

Man is gonna do big things for the program. He’s making the boys workout, be responsible, the boys have a man of integrity. He’s gonna have these dudes body changing and everything, so I’m excited for coach Diaz. Can’t wait to get down there and bust my behind for him, he’s gonna do great things for this program!

6. Thoughts on Butch Barry and Dan Enos?

His (Coach Barry) NFL experience, I know he’s gonna have the OL locking things down this year. Coach Barry is an amazing coach, he’s gonna tell you what you need to work on and he’s not gonna lie to you or anything. If you do good on a play he might not say anything, but when you have a bad practice or something he’s gonna let you know or tell you what needs to be worked on so I’m excited about coach Barry, very excited! And coach Enos, me and coach Enos had a connection as soon as I committed, same thing with coach Barry. Coach enos has got big plans for this year, he’s gonna do big things offensively.

7. What was attending Paradise Camp like? What other recruits/commits are you bonding with?

It was fantastic, the atmosphere, the competition. I love to compete, that’s what Paradise Camp was like. It was fun, you got coached well and you got coached hard, it was fantastic all around.

I’m bonding with Tyler Van Dyke, Jalen Rivers, Romello Height, Justin Hodges, Tirek-Austin Cave and A.J. Mathis.

8. Is there anyone in particular you’re trying to come to Miami?

And I’m trying to get Leonard Manuel and Trevonte Rucker.

9. Goals for your senior season?

My goals for my senior season is to get a championship, set my guys up for success, be a leader go undefeated, give my guys the best opportunity!

10. Anything you’d like to say to the Miami fans?

To the Miami fans, this is gonna be a good year for the U, stay tuned it’s gonna be a show. Don’t have to worry about me de-committing, I’m not going anywhere. Miami Hurricanes and Miami is my home! I can’t wait to get down there to work, for the city and the U fans!