Dec 14 | Football
Mustangs Ink Former Wisconsin Quarterback
"We are excited to add a great kid like D.J. to our SMU family," said Morris. "He brings valuable experience and leadership to our team and really fits the culture we have established at SMU."
Gillins, a 6-3, 205-lb., quarterback, enrolled at Wisconsin coming out of high school and spent two seasons in Madison, working as both a quarterback and a wide receiver, before playing the 2016 campaign at Pearl River. Gillins entered the 2016 season as Pearl River's starting quarterback and was turning in a solid performance in the Wildcats' opening game of the season, completing 18 of 29 passes for 165 yards, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in that game. In spite of his injury, Gillins still rates as the nation's No. 7-ranked junior college quarterback.
As a high school signal caller, Gillins was a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals and 247 Sports. He was ranked as No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the country by 247 Sports, No. 9 by Rivals and No. 17 by ESPN.com. A four-year starter at quarterback for Eagle's View Academy and Ribault High, Gillins threw for 7,271 yards and 76 touchdowns and was a three-time All-State selection. He had offers from Arizona, Boston College, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and others.
Gillins will be eligible for the 2017 season.
