HBCU Legends

South Carolina State LB Aaron Smith Receives East-West Shrine Bowl Invitation

HBCU football star receives an invitation from the longest running football all-star game.

Kyle T. Mosley

Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith / Credit: SCS Athletics
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HOUSTON — Aaron "Boog" Smith is the highly talented South Carolina State linebacker who was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Coach Chennis Berry played the video invitation from Smith's former Bulldogs teammate and current Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant.

"It's Cobie, aka the Landshark," Durant said. "I'm honored to officially invite one of my guys and former teammates to the East-West Shrine this year. In 2022, I was able to go to the East-West Shrine to showcase my skills in front of all 32 teams and get the attention I needed to get drafted into the NFL. This year, a world-class guy gets the same opportunity to be able to showcase his skills at the Dallas Cowboys facility in front of all 32 teams. This year, Aaron Smith, you are invited to the East-West Shrine, man. Congrats to you. Keep balling. I can't wait to see you at East-West Shrine."

Smith was one of the eight HBCU football stars who were selected for the East-West Shrine Bowl's Watch List

The S.C. State star is a native of Manning, South Carolina, and graduated from Manning High School. The 6-2 and 230-pound linebacker is a graduate student at South Carolina State.

"I couldn't be able to do the things I do without y'all boys picking me up every day," Smith told his Bulldogs teammates. "My D-line making it easy for me to run through guys and make plays. So I just want to say thank to y'all. Bro. I love y'all boys."

This season, Smith has registered 53 tackles, 3 TFL, 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. Against North Carolina A&T, he had a game-high 13 tackles during the victory. The MEAC honored him as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Aggies. The following week, he earned the honor again for "10 tackles with five solo stops and one interception in the Bulldogs’ win over Tennessee Tech."

Aaron Smith plays with toughness and tenacity, which is displayed in his tackling, pass coverage, and ability to create turnovers. His exceptional versatility, size, speed, and football intelligence make him one of the top HBCU pro prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.

South Carolina State defeated NCCU, 24-21, on Halloween to take control of their destiny in the MEAC. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will travel to Washington, D.C., to battle the Howard Bison.

The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Jan. 30, 2025. Walter Payton, the HBCU legend from Jackson State University, was a participant in the 1975 all-star game.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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