Houston quarterback Donovan Smith is one of the more experienced passers on the college football circuit. Where did he play high school football, and where did he get this start?
Let’s take a closer look at Smith’s origins and the journey he’s taken to the forefront of the CFB stage. Smith’s beginnings were humble, but he’s grown into an undeniable talent.
Donovan Smith Used Transfer To Prove Ability at QB in High School
Smith originally played football at the renowned Bishop Gorman High School in his hometown of Las Vegas before transferring to Frenship High School in Texas to close out his high school football career.
At Bishop Gorman, Smith — who now stands around 6’5″, 235 pounds — played mainly as a wide receiver while also holding a spot as the backup QB. He remained there until his senior season when he sought out a starting opportunity in the state of Texas at Frenship.
There, Smith gave college scouts and recruiters enough to work with despite a limited sample. In his lone high school season as a full-time starter, Smith completed 212 of 328 passes for 3,114 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while also adding 489 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.
Though Smith only had one season of production to go off of in high school, he was still able to earn a three-star recruit billing from most outlets, and Power Five conference teams displayed interest in his skill set.
After relocating to the state of Texas, Smith ultimately remained in-state, first signing with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
How Did Smith End Up at Houston?
Smith’s time at Texas Tech was tumultuous but not without its bright moments. Smith sat out the 2020 season due to a shoulder injury then served as one of the team’s top backups for most of the 2021 campaign.
When the team’s starter in 2021 fell to an injury late in the year, Smith won his first career start against Iowa State, passing for 322 yards and three scores. The performance not only established Smith as a rising presence but also earned Texas Tech bowl eligibility.
Smith remained Texas Tech’s starter through the remainder of the 2021 campaign, and he ultimately led the Red Raiders to a Liberty Bowl victory against Mississippi State, earning MVP honors for the game after accruing over 250 yards and two total TDs.
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Smith’s strong play in 2021 helped place his hat in the ring for a three-man QB competition leading into the 2022 season. Though Smith lost that competition to Tyler Shough, another injury to Shough brought Smith back into the lineup, and he started four games on the year.
Eventually, seeking a chance to earn a full-time starting job, Smith entered the transfer portal. That’s how he found Houston in the offseason of 2023. Smith joined up with Houston and took charge, starting all 12 games across the 2023 campaign.
Over that stretch, Smith completed 256 of 397 attempts for 2,801 yards, 22 TDs, and 13 INTs, while also accumulating 428 yards and six scores on the ground.
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