Tag: Carter Smith

Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs two former top Michigan commits

Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs two former top Michigan commits

Wisconsin’s busy few weeks in the class of 2025 culminated on Wednesday, when college football’s early signing period began.

Among Wisconsin’s many signings are two of the program’s most recent additions. Those players are four-star DL Jaylen Williams and four-star QB Carter Smith, each who were formerly among Michigan‘s top commits in the class.

Related: Early Signing Day Tracker: Updates on Wisconsin football’s full activity in class of 2025

Williams flipped to the Badgers from the Wolverines on Nov. 20, while Smith de-committed from Michigan and eventually committed to Wisconsin on Nov. 24.

Smith is Wisconsin’s highest-rated commit in the cycle, ranked as 247Sports’ No. 164 player in the class of 2025, No. 15 quarterback and No. 26 recruit from Florida.

Williams, meanwhile, is among the most important members of the class. Wisconsin’s defensive line group looks incredibly thin moving forward. His status as a four-star recruit and 247Sports’ No. 230-ranked player in the class should begin to address that issue.

Each players’ respective path to Wisconsin was different. Wisconsin beat Florida State more than anybody else for Smith after he left Michigan’s class — a move that coincided with the program’s pursuit of top quarterback Bryce Underwood. Both, however, were previously two of the Wolverines’ top commits in the cycle.

Wisconsin has not won much on the field since Luke Fickell arrived before the 2023 season. These two signings represent important recruiting wins as he works to chart the program’s path forward.

For more updates on Wisconsin’s early signing period, bookmark our signing day tracker.

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Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time addition of QB Carter Smith

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time addition of QB Carter Smith

Wisconsin football’s recruiting performance is far better than the current on-field product, to say the least.

Luke Fickell’s team has now lost four straight games after Saturday’s 44-25 defeat at Nebraska. It is just 5-6 on the season and 3-5 in Big Ten play, desperately needing a season-closing victory over Minnesota to clinch bowl eligibility.

There is more context behind that on-field performance, including the recent firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo and historic blowout losses to rivals Iowa and Nebraska sandwiching hard-fought losses to top-ranked teams. That context doesn’t help the general trend of poor play.

But for those still optimistic about the Badgers’ future under Luke Fickell, the biggest calling card is his recruiting performance.

Wisconsin made headlines on Sunday when it landed a commitment from four-star class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith. Smith is ranked as 247Sports’ No. 15 quarterback in the class and No. 164 overall player. Beating Florida State for his commitment was a statement for Fickell and his staff — even doing so after firing Longo just seven days earlier.

The addition of Smith brings Wisconsin’s class of 2025 to 25 total commitments — eight of which coming from blue-chip players. Notably, it rose the group four spots up to No. 21 in 247Sports’ national rankings.

The Badgers now boast the eighth-highest-rated class in the Big Ten, trailing just Ohio State (No. 2 overall), Oregon (No. 8), Michigan (No. 9), USC (No. 11), Penn State (No. 15), Washington (No. 18) and Nebraska (No. 20). The No. 21 ranking is an impressive follow-up after Luke Fickell finished the 2024 class with 247Sports’ No. 25 overall class and a Blue-Chip Ratio of 50%.

Smith’s addition continues a growing debate about how to weigh Wisconsin’s on-field struggles with its recruiting success. In reality, the 2025 football season will be somewhat defined by the performance of the 2024 recruiting class and another crop of transfers. If that strong recruiting doesn’t lead to improved on-field play, the clock may start ticking on his tenure.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands four-star class of 2025 QB Carter Smith

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands four-star class of 2025 QB Carter Smith

This story was updated to add new information.

The Wisconsin Badgers landed a commitment from top-ranked class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith on Sunday.

Smith had initially committed to Michigan in November of 2023. The four-star recruit decommitted from the Wolverines’ program on Oct. 30 and was projected to land with either the Florida State Seminoles or Badgers in a two-team race.

Luke Fickell’s program ultimately prevailed.

247Sports considers Smith the No. 164 overall recruit in the class of 2025, the No. 15 quarterback and the No. 26 prospect in his home state of Florida. Smith is now the Badgers’ highest-rated high school quarterback commit since Graham Mertz in 2019.

A combination of factors contributed to the decision. On Thursday, four-star 2025 quarterback Kevin Sperry flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to Florida State, filling the void left by 2025 QB Tramell Jones after he decommitted from FSU on Nov. 14.

Sperry’s choice likely redirected Smith’s focus away from the Seminoles and solely on the Badgers. Both Rivals and 247Sports released forecasts for Smith to choose Wisconsin after Sperry’s flipped commitment.

This factor, coupled with the Badgers’ recent firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Nov. 17, created a news-filled runway for Smith’s commitment. The Badgers prevailed despite the recent significant change at coordinator.

Wisconsin now boasts the No. 17 recruiting class for the class of 2025 with 24 total commitments, per Rivals. Smith’s commitment arrives just a few days after UW flipped former Michigan defensive lineman commit Jaylen Williams.

In terms of the overall acquisition, Smith’s commitment is a step in the right direction for a program that is currently struggling on the field. For the time being, he will join a quarterback room in 2025 featuring Braedyn Locke, Mabrey Mettauer and Landyn Locke. The room is almost guaranteed to look different by the time fall camp begins next August.

Former Michigan football pledge commits to another Big Ten school

Best of luck to him.

Michigan football lost one commitment via a flip last week when 2025 Palatine (Illinois) four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Williams committed to Wisconsin. Sunday’s news wasn’t exactly a flip, but the result is the same.

On Oct. 30, the Wolverines lost their longtime quarterback commit, 2025 Fort Myers (Florida) Bishop Verot four-star Carter Smith, who backed off his pledge as the maize and blue pursued No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood. Now there’s a chance (albeit slight) that Underwood could face Smith on the gridiron.

Smith announced on Sunday that he is taking his talents to Madison to suit up for the Wisconsin Badgers.

 

Michigan has Wisconsin on the schedule (though with no date set) in 2025 and again in 2028. The expectations for Underwood is he will likely be in Ann Arbor for three years, though plans could certainly change. If Smith stays four years and wins the job, there is the chance he could play against a Brady Hart-led Michigan team. Hart is part of the Wolverines’ recruiting class for the 2026 cycle.

Wisconsin in line to land top class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith

Wisconsin in line to land top class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith

Wisconsin’s race for top-ranked class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith just took quite the unexpected turn.

On Thursday evening, four-star class of 2025 quarterback Kevin Sperry flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to Florida State. The four-star had originally committed to Oklahoma back in March 2023.

The choice should directly impact Wisconsin’s pursuit of Carter Smith, who remains uncommitted. It was thought that Wisconsin and Florida State were in a two-team race to land the top quarterback’s commitment.

Florida State adding Sperry could signal the end of that recruiting battle. Insiders agree — after On3’s Steve Wiltfong predicted Smith to land with the Seminoles just one week ago, he’s since flipped that prediction to Wisconsin.

Additionally, 247Sports Florida State insider Zach Blostein released a crystal ball prediction on Thursday for Smith to land with the Badgers. As time passes, more and more signals point to that outcome.

These updates all follow Smith taking an official visit to Wisconsin during its recent game against No. 1 Oregon.

This entire scenario began after class of 2025 QB Tramell Jones decommitted from Florida State and opened a spot in the Seminoles’ recruiting class. Now, that door appears closed for good.

247Sports considers Smith the No. 164 overall recruit in the class of 2025, the No. 15 quarterback and the No. 26 prospect in his home state of Florida. If Smith commits to UW, he would become the Badgers’ highest-rated high school quarterback commit since Graham Mertz in 2019.

Wisconsin potentially winning this recruiting battle has added significance after the program fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo last Sunday.

The move off of Longo will likely be followed by the departure of several quarterbacks off the roster, as they were hand-picked to run his air raid offense. The addition of Smith is a strong signal that the unit is headed in the right direction, regardless of who is hired as offensive coordinator this offseason.

UW’s current class of 2025 quarterback room includes three-star Landyn Locke — brother to the Badgers’ current starting quarterback Braedyn Locke.

Michigan football decommit trending to new program

Did #Michigan make a mistake here? #GoBlue

Michigan football has been all in on its pursuit of 2025 Belleville (Michigan) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. As a result, the Wolverines lost their longstanding quarterback commit.

A year ago at this time, despite pursuing Underwood then, the Wolverines obtained a pledge from 2025 Fort Myers (Florida) Bishop Verot four-star QB Carter Smith. Rated a three-star at the time of his pledge, the dual-threat signal caller rose in the rankings once he pledged to the maize and blue. But he backed off his pledge in recent weeks with the news Michigan really coveted Underwood.

Now it appears a new school has emerged. Though Wisconsin and Penn State appeared to be on the table, it’s looking like Florida State may be the team to beat, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

 

With the Seminoles emerging, it seems unlikely Michigan would be able to double back on Smith, who was committed for nearly a year, should it strike out on Underwood.

Wisconsin predicted to lose top 2025 quarterback target to Florida State

Wisconsin predicted to lose top 2025 quarterback target to Florida State

On Thursday, four-star class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith received an On3 expert prediction that he will choose Florida State.

The prediction came from On3 Vice President Steve Wiltfong, one of the top insiders in the recruiting industry.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s matchup against No. 1 Oregon

The prediction arrives days before Smith will visit Wisconsin during its prime-time game against No. 1 Oregon. The Badgers have been in hot pursuit of Smith since he decommitted from Michigan at the end of October.

This update also comes immediately after class of 2025 QB Tramell Jones decommitted from Florida State, creating an opening for a quarterback in the Seminoles’ class. On3 reports Smith will likely visit Florida State for its game against Florida on Nov. 30.

The musical chairs at quarterback have Jones trending toward Florida, Michigan in pursuit of top 2025 QB Bryce Underwood, and both Florida State and Wisconsin battling to land Smith.

The highly touted quarterback is No. 158 overall, No. 14 among quarterbacks and No. 26 in his home state of Florida, according to 247Sports. His addition would be a substantial boost for Wisconsin’s class of 2025. He would be the program’s highest-rated high school quarterback commit since Graham Mertz (class of 2019).

Wisconsin still has a chance to make its case to Smith during his visit to the program this weekend. A win over No. 1 Oregon would do a lot for that case.

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Wisconsin picks up FutureCast to land top class of 2025 quarterback target

Wisconsin picks up FutureCast to land top class of 2025 quarterback target

Wisconsin football top-ranked class of 2025 quarterback target Carter Smith picked up a Rivals’ FutureCast to the Badgers on Friday.

The prediction arrives shortly after Smith announced his plans to visit UW during its game against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16. The forecast comes from Rivals’ Wisconsin insider Jon McNamara.

Smith recently reopened his recruitment after de-committing from Michigan’s 2025 cohort. The four-star quarterback committed to the Wolverines’ program back in Nov. 2023 before head coach Jim Harbaugh made the move to the NFL.

Rivals considers the Fort Myers, Florida native as the No. 95 player in the class of 2025, No. 4 quarterback in the class and No. 23 prospect from Florida. Outside Wisconsin, Smith has recovered offers from top programs such as Miami-FL, Ole Miss, Penn State, Texas A&M, Louisville and Florida.

While the Rivals’ forecasts is promising for Badgers’ fans as Luke Fickell and Phil Longo look to add premium talent at the position.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 currently sits at No. 28 in the nation after recently flipping DL Drayden Pavey from Purdue. Smith’s acquisition would certainly elevate that ranking and provide some clarity on who could lead Wisconsin’s quarterback room in the future.

Top 2025 quarterback, former Michigan commit to visit Wisconsin during game vs. Oregon

Top 2025 quarterback, former Michigan commit to visit Wisconsin during game vs. Oregon

Four-star class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith will visit Wisconsin during its contest against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

Smith recently decommitted from Michigan‘s class of 2025 as the Wolverines reportedly heightened their pursuit of five-star QB Bryce Underwood. He had been committed to Michigan since November 2023 — before the transition from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 national ranking after flipping Michigan State commit, notable decommitment

247Sports currently ranks the Fort Myers, Florida native as the No. 158 player in the class of 2025, No. 14 quarterback and No. 26 recruit from his home state.

Wisconsin joins a crowded offer sheet that also includes Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, Penn State and Texas A&M. It’s still unclear which programs will re-open their pursuit after Smith’s decommitment, however, as some on his offer list are likely to have landed a quarterback since last November.

Of note, Wisconsin is currently the only program scheduled to host Smith on a visit.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 28 in the nation and No. 10 in the Big Ten. The group has seen some activity lately. It flipped both DL Drayden Pavey and TE Emmett Bork from Purdue and Michigan State, respectively, but also saw DL Wilnerson Telemaque and LB Brenden Anes decommit during that time.

The class currently has one quarterback committed: three-star Landyn Locke — the younger brother of Badgers current starter Braedyn Locke.

The potential addition of Smith would provide a big boost to Wisconsin’s recruiting output. Luke Fickell has compiled classes that rank well nationally, but he has yet to land a highly-touted signal-caller. Carter Smith isn’t quite Drake Maye — a five-star quarterback that led Phil Longo’s offense to success at North Carolina. But he would represent a clear step forward for the Badgers recruiting the position.

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Michigan football 2025 QB commit Carter Smith decommits

Either things got really real for Underwood or #Michigan isn’t gonna have a 2025 QB. #GoBlue

Michigan football has long had a quarterback committed in the 2025 class as Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot four-star QB Carter Smith pledged to the Wolverines back on Nov. 14, 2023 — despite the maize and blue’s overtures to fellow 2025 QB Belleville (Mich.) five-star Bryce Underwood.

Smith was just a three-star at the time of his commitment, but the dual-threat signal caller rose up the rankings as he entered his senior year, both via improving as well as being more thoroughly evaluated. However, Michigan reprised its attempt to lure Underwood to Ann Arbor, despite his Jan. 6 commitment to LSU.

As that’s continued to get public, Smith opted to decommit from the class and open up his options, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

 

This could be seen in one of two ways: Smith was unappreciative that the Michigan football staff had wandering eyes given his longtime pledge to the program, or it could also be seen as a harbinger or good omen in response to the staff’s attempts to lure Underwood to campus. Or both things could be true.

Regardless, now the Wolverines need a quarterback in 2025 — whether that’s Underwood or another QB — because if it isn’t capable of getting Underwood to flip from LSU, then it will be left high and dry, much like the 2022 and 2023 classes.

Smith most recently visited Ann Arbor for Michigan’s 24-17 win over rival MSU.