Steve Smith attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California where he was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track. On the basketball team, Smith averaged 26.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a junior. As a senior he averaged 25.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He was a three-time all-state selection and was named first team all-American as a senior. He was a three-year starter on the football team, playing both receiver and defensive back. As a sophomore he totaled 93 receptions for 1,597 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also totaled 7 interceptions on defense. As a junior he finished with 92 receptions for 1,612 yards and 13 touchdowns. He led the state in interceptions that year with 12 picks on the season. Steve missed two games with a sprained ankle his senior season, but still managed to grab 86 balls for 1,362 yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 48 tackles, 5 interceptions all 13 pass breakups on defense, helping Taft to it's second straight appearance in the city finals. His 271 career receptions and 4,545 yards are both California state records. He accepted a scholarship to USC where he caught 17 passes for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2003. He earned a starting job as a sophomore, but only started seven games, missing the other five with a broken left leg. He finished the season with 42 receptions for 660 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a junior Smith saw action in all 13 games, totaling 60 receptions for 957 yards and 5 touchdowns on his way to honorable mention all-pac ten honors.

Steve Smith has a great deal of experience, having started at receiver for USC since his sophomore season. He has a good combination of size, speed, and athleticism for a receiver. He is a hard worker who is always trying to improve his game. He has good hands and does a good job of adjusting to the ball while it's in the air. He has the speed to make plays down the field and can be very elusive after the catch. He has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field and he does a good job of getting additional yards after the catch. He will go over the middle and make a tough catch in traffic. Steve does need to work on running more precise routes and he does have a tendency to "body catch" too often. He also could use some work on his blocking. The only major injury he had was a broken leg that kept him out of five games as a sophomore. He did have an off the field incident where he broke the jaw of former teammate Dominique Byrd after a disagreement over a video game. Steve Smith is one of the most talented receivers in the nation and should be a first day selection in the 2007 NFL draft.