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University of Maryland Athletics

Shaq Smith

Football

Catching up with Shaq Smith

Linebacker Shaq Smith enters his second and final year as a Terp as one of Maryland's leaders on the defensive side of the ball. The local product from Baltimore tallied 24 tackles (14 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four pass breakups in 2019 and is looking to expand on that production in 2020. UMTerps.com caught up with Smith to talk about his quarantine, the issues surrounding our country, his transition to becoming a Terp and getting ready for his senior 2020 season. 

How have you been staying in shape during the quarantine?
I have been working outside with Baltimore Ravens star player Matthew Judon as well as Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. We work out three times a week in Baltimore County. Working with guys in positions I hope to be in one day has given me extra motivation to remain locked in and on track during these times where it is easy to sit around and play video games and become out of shape quickly. Workouts range from speed and conditioning, to weight training, as well as agility and position work.  
 
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What has been the most interesting/unique thing to come from one of the team or position group zoom calls?
Having to adjust to online meetings and zoom calls when you are used to being around your teammates and coaches and bonding has not been easy to say the least. We are used to walking in team meetings and different teammates having a chance to play a selection of music and song choices in team meetings to now logging in on meetings and scrolling through zoom to see what different players are doing and picking with them through zoom is the best way we have been staying connected during this time. Speaking for the linebacker group we have held our own separate zoom meetings to walk back through installs or film we covered for the day and help out our younger guys to make sure they are fully understanding of the material we are going over and keeping up to speed with us.  
Why did you think it was important to speak out as a team on the racial injustices going on in our country?
I think it was important for us as a team to speak out on the racial injustice that we are currently dealing with because it gives the players a chance to be heard through a greater platform than their own. It gives parents a chance to see that if your son comes to Maryland his voice will be heard and he will have a say so. It also lets fans and supporters know that Maryland will stand with Black Lives Matter and we as a program will do all in our power to help solve the problems we are currently facing to the best of our abilities. 
Voting and helping others in the community register to vote and make it to the polls on election days seemed to be a big theme in the players statement. Why is that so important and how do you think the Maryland football team can make a big impact in that area? 
Voting and registering to vote is huge because we all have opinions and things we think are right and wrong. To be heard so that we see the changes we want all starts with us. Vote for what you think is right, vote for the change you want to see. Having all of these opinions and wishes without voting is doing nothing for us to see any change we may want to see. That is why it was a big thing for my teammates and I. We believe going out into communities and helping people register and taking them to vote will be a huge asset for this country, for our communities and for ourselves. 
Who was your NFL idol growing up?
Peyton Manning. Ironic right? I was a huge Colts fan coming up all because of Peyton. I loved and still love to this day his passion, his work ethic and his will to win. He taught me a lot growing up about the game of football far from him being a quarterback but him being special in who he was and how he went about his everyday life showing his passion and love for the game. For me, still to this day, I am big on what I can learn from anybody who is in the position I want to be in. It doesn't have to be a guy who plays my position but a guy who plays and respects the game the way it should be.  
What show have you binged watched during the quarantine?
I must say I am not big on watching TV but I have been watching a lot of First 48. I always did like the show and seeing how detectives work around the clock and how smart these guys are to do the job that they do is always interesting to me how they piece small things together and come to conclusions. 
What have you missed the most about being in College Park?
The thing that I have missed the most about being in College Park is just the camaraderie amongst my teammates and the relationships we build and grow every single day. I miss the time we spend learning more about each other and going to war with each other. From meetings to meals to conditioning, we all grow and break bread with one another and it brings us closer which in return makes you want to lay it all on the line for the guys to left and right of you every play. 
How has your transition been to becoming a Terp and what are your goals for your last college season? 
My transition becoming a Terp has been smooth sailing. My teammates welcomed me with open arms from day one and it has been nothing but love from that point on. I am excited but also not ready for my last season to come and go. While it is scary right now not knowing what we will have in front of us, I am excited to put on display four years and two different programs and two different sets of great coaches all into one final year. A masterpiece is what I will call it.  
What makes you most excited about the 2020 team?
The buy-in that our guys have. The will and the fight my teammates continue to show day in and day out. I know for a fact this team will be special. Growing together during these times has been something everyone in the Gossett Football Team house did not know what to do or how to handle but we as a team have come together and did all we know how to do which is work and listen to what our coaches and administrators tell us to do. For reasons such as these I know this team will be special.  
 
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Players Mentioned

Shaq Smith

#1 Shaq Smith

LB
6' 2"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Shaq Smith

#1 Shaq Smith

6' 2"
Senior
LB