DALLAS (SMU) - Pearl River Community College quarterback D.J. Gillins has signed a National Letter of Intent with SMU and will be enrolling on the Hilltop in January, Head Coach Chad Morris announced today. He chose SMU over offers from many other top programs.
 

"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.