Dontae Smith piled up more than 4,200 rushing yards in his final two high-school seasons and will attempt to bring that productivity and playmaking ability to Georgia Tech. Smith signed his letter of intent Wednesday with Tech and will likely start out with the A-back group.

“Dontae Smith’s a dynamic guy who’s a runner-up for Mr. Football in Tennessee,” coach Paul Johnson said. “You put on his highlight tape, and it’s really impressive.

Smith has spellbinding speed. Safeties coach Andy McCollum, who recruited him, said that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at a Tech camp.

“He’s a make-you-miss guy,” McCollum said on the team’s online broadcast on signing day.

Smith, from Spring Hill (Tenn.) High, is a three-star prospect (247 Sports), the No. 20 all-purpose back nationally and was indeed a finalist for the state of Tennessee’s Mr. Football award for Class 4A. Smith, 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, held offers from Syracuse, Memphis, Georgia State and Temple.

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Georgia Tech defensive back Omar Daniels (white shirt) defends against a catch during the first half of a game against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Atlanta, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. (Jason Allen/AJC)

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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