One week from today, Maury (VA) inside linebacker Carlton “CJ” Smith will be one of eleven high school signees to arrive in College Park to begin their college careers with Terps.
Smith announced his verbal to Maryland ten months ago with Penn State, Miami (FL), Alabama and Notre Dame as his finalists, but that didn’t stop schools from trying to change his mind.
“Syracuse was on me heavy. It kind of got to the point where I was picking between them. And Miami (FL) and Penn State,” Smith told IBG. “They were the ones reaching out but definitely Syracuse – they had me number one on their board. It was kind of at the last minute when they came around and I didn’t really know how that was going to go so I felt like Maryland was the best option. And I’m familiar with the area so I think it’d fit perfectly with me.”
A big piece in Smith’s decision to head to Maryland was due to his position coach: Lance Thompson. “I just feel like we’re getting closer and closer. I feel like he’s excited for me to get up there and I’m excited just to learn from the seniors and linebackers in front of me in my group.”
Roughly one month after Smith finalized his decision to head to Maryland during the early signing period, the 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker is adjusting to no more high school while he takes the time to prepare for his next stop.
“I’m still getting used to it. I’m starting to peep how it feels to not go to school. I took all my classes so I’m just working out, getting ready for move-in. They texted me all of that stuff. They told me how things are going to work with meal plan, nutrition so I’m just excited to see the body change. By the season starts, I should be at least 225 [pounds].”
Smith announced his commitment to Maryland back on March 11 after taking a weekend visit to College Park, checking out the campus that his sister once walked while running track and field for the Terps. Assistant Lance Thompson led the way with the regional three-star target where they began developing a relationship while Smith was at Saint Frances as a junior. That grew into the offseason as the Virginia native made the call to transfer closer to home, teaming up with Maury (Va.) where he’d become a big piece in their state championship run.
But Smith also made his own name for himself as a Commodore, drawing district, regional and state Defensive Player of the Year honors while being named first-team all-state to close out his high school career.
The Maryland signee put the pads on one last time in the US Army Bowl back on Dec. 21 where he posted five tackles, two TFLs and a forced fumble while playing under former NFL running back Emmitt Smith.
The incoming inside linebacker has always proven himself as one of the best tacklers in the region, but Smith saw another side of his game grow through his senior season.
“I can definitely say my covering. I feel like at this school, Maury, they put me in a different situation than Saint Frances to where I wasn’t always in the box. I didn’t really have as many job responsibilities to like pass drop, I had simple drops but here I really had to cover out in space. It really taught me a lot. I definitely took pride in that this year as a football player.”
“I definitely want to finish as first-team All-Big Ten and just live up to how they recruited me this year. I’m just looking forward to it. I’ve always been thinking about it, looking at stats from different linebackers and what can I do because I definitely want to be a freshman All-American or just make an impact as soon as possible. Whether it’s special teams or anything, I just want to get on the field and make an impact. If I have to wait my turn, it is what it is because I know I’ll be learning from the greats and the people with experience so I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity.”
CJ Smith was rated a three-star and was ranked as the 19th-best prospect in Virginia and 66th-best linebacker in the 2025 class, per On3’s industry ranking.
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