BOYNTON BEACH – Bobby Smith Jr. could be the centerpiece of something very special at Boynton Beach High School.

The senior-to-be running back earned his first offer earlier yesterday (June 28) from Allen University, a Division II institution based in Columbia, S.C.

“I feel great,” the It’s a relief off my shoulders. Now I feel like I could go somewhere. Hopefully I’ll get some more offers.”

This serves a breakthrough moment for our No. 1-ranked running back and No. 9 overall player in Palm Beach County.

“I put in a lot of work, so I deserve it,” the 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back said. “We don’t get a lot of credit for what we do. Our school doesn’t get enough respect, so what we are accomplishing right now is a start.”

Boynton Beach finished this past season with a 7-4 record and an appearance in the Class 5A playoffs.

“It’s a different atmosphere now,” Smith Jr. said. “We’re starting to win games, so it’s better overall for us. We have come a long way.”

In his junior season, Smith Jr. had 1,200+ all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. His best game was against John I. Leonard in Week 7, when he had 180+ rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in his team’s 63-16 win.

“Every time we stepped on the field, we scored,” Smith Jr. said. “Our goal was to score 70, so we wanted to reach the end zone as quickly as possible. Our defense was confused because we got off the field so quick.”

Smith Jr. recapped this past season and school year (2021-2022).

“My junior year was my best year,” Smith Jr. said. “I got a lot of recognition from schools. USF, UCF, FAU, FIU, Purdue, FAMU and others have to come to see my and my teammates during school this offseason. Hopefully it brings more attention to our school so we could get more scouts to come out.”

Smith Jr. has not rested on his laurels in any way, shape, or form. He went on to score four total rushing touchdowns this past spring in a jamboree against Olympic Heights and Suncoast.

Boynton Beach coach Jarious Smith (no relation) spoke on Smith Jr.’s relentless pursuit of success on the field.

“He’s a workhouse on the field,” Smith said. “His vision is unlike any I’ve seen in a while. He doesn’t go down on first contact. He never complains about touches or asks for the ball. He would play both ways if we need him to.”

When Smith Jr.’s senior season ends either in November or December, he hopes to have broken multiple program records at Boynton Beach.

Smith Jr. already has one, as he was the first true running back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season. This happened in 2021.

“It’s incredible, especially considering we run a Wing-T and spread,” Smith said. “We split carries between three guys [Smith Jr., ATH Marc Arclein (2023) and ATH Bobby T. Smith (2024)], trying to keep everybody happy.”

Smith Jr. wants his team to have at least two program-defining achievements by the end of this season: the school’s first district title (District 10-Class 2M) and the school’s first FHSAA playoff win.

Both are within reach, as Boynton Beach could go into this fall season as the favorite to be the district champion and host at least one playoff game.

“It feels good to bring a lot of attention to the school in that way,” Smith Jr. said. “It would put a stamp on our school. It would leave my name – and our team – in the record books at Boynton High.”