Tag: Jaden Smith

Former Michigan football commit Jaden Smith chooses Kentucky

Linebacker Jaden Smith chooses the Kentucky Wildcats after decommitting from Michigan.

The Kentucky Wildcats football recruiting class for 2024 was ranked in the top 25 after February’s Signing Day. However, on Tuesday, it got even better. Linebacker Jaden Smith had previously committed to the Michigan Wolverines. However, after coach Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL, Smith changed his mind. After weighing his options, he chose Kentucky.

Smith is a 6’3″, 200 lb four-star linebacker from Charlotte, North Carolina who was a top 300 recruit on most lists. He committed to Michigan in June of last year, but asked to be released from his letter of intent after Harbaugh chose to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kentucky was one of the schools that had recruited Smith before he chose Michigan last summer. He came to Lexington on a visit, but the Cats lost out to Harbaugh and the Wolverines in the end.

Smith is a terrific athlete and, though lacking ideal size, is a versatile player who can do a lot on the field. The Wildcats will be sure to find a way to work him into the defense and get the most out of him.

Former Michigan football signee selects transfer destination

#Michigan lost there defensive linemen named Smith to one school.

If you are a signee or commitment to Michigan football that plays along the defensive line who chooses to go elsewhere, apparently there is but one destination.

The Wolverines expected to have some turnover following Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL, especially on the defense given that the entire staff on that side of the ball left, as well, but thus far, only one signee asked for a release from his national letter of intent. On February 11, athlete Jaden Smith, the Charlotte (N.C.) West four-star expected to come to Ann Arbor as an edge rusher, announced his plans to find another school, and it turns out he’s joining a couple other defensive line Smiths.

On Tuesday, Smith announced he’s transferring to Kentucky, joining former Michigan commitments, Jerod and Jacob Smith, who also defected to the Wildcats.

Michigan football had a hard time hanging onto defensive linemen this cycle, with not only those three not making it to campus, but also with Elias Rudolph flipping to Miami (Florida) this offseason.

Coveted 4-star linebacker Jaden Smith lands at Kentucky

Jaden Smith made his college decision on Tuesday.

Four-star linebacker Jaden Smith committed to Kentucky on Tuesday morning. One of the top recruits in the nation, Smith had originally been committed to Michigan.

At 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete, Smith oozes with athleticism. He played linebacker and wide receiver for West Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina).

Last week, Smith asked out of his National Letter of Intent with Michigan.

In the 247Sports Composite, Smith was the No. 284 overall recruit in the nation in the 2024 class.

For Kentucky, the addition of Smith is quite a boost. He gives the SEC program their fourth committed player in the 2024 class who is ranked as a four-star.

Kentucky came into the week with the No. 24 recruiting class in the nation.

He announced his commitment to Kentucky via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

 

It has been a busy offseason for Kentucky, with 10 new players coming into the program in the transfer portal. The Wildcats have the No. 13 transfer portal class in the nation according to On3 Sports.

And it has been an offseason of change and transition at Michigan, with head coach Jim Harbaugh leaving late last month to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Sherrone Moore was named as Harbaugh’s replacement.

Michigan football loses 2024 signee after coaching changes

Best of luck to him. #GoBlue

Michigan football has mostly managed to hold its roster together with the changes that have come to the program following the offseason departure of Jim Harbaugh to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. Though former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted to head coach as something of a continuity hire, there have been reasons to be concerned, especially given that all of the coaches on defense have departed the program.

The Wolverines haven’t lost any notable scholarship players of those who have already been with the team, but one player who had signed and hadn’t arrived on campus has decided that he doesn’t want to stick around and see what it’s like to play with the new-look maize and blue.

On Sunday, Michigan signee Jaden Smith, an EDGE prospect from North Carolina, announced he would be seeking to get out of his national letter of intent and seek a new opportunity elsewhere.

And on Tuesday, he announced that he has gotten out of his NLI and is free to look to new opportunities at another school.

Smith is a 247Sports Composite four-star, ranked No. 284 overall, regardless of position. The West Charlotte athlete could have played outside linebacker to start, especially since he is rated at 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, but could have evolved into a more traditional defensive end once the strength and conditioning at the college level took ahold in the future.

At the moment, Michigan does not have a defensive line coach, but is rumored to be getting Wisconsin’s Greg Scruggs, who goes back to Sherrone Moore’s time at Louisville when he was both a player and a coach.

 

Breaking: 4-star Jaden Smith has requested out of his NLI with Michigan

Jaden Smith made a huge decision on Sunday about his Michigan football future.

Jaden Smith, a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, has requested his release from Michigan. The request by Smith was posted on Sunday afternoon.

He was a four-star in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 284 overall recruit in the nation. At Michigan, he was slated to play linebacker.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete from West Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina) played as both a linebacker and a wide receiver in high school.

He had signed with Michigan during the early signing period in December.

He also held offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami, USC and Vanderbilt among others.

His social media post announcing his intention to leave Michigan included his appreciation for Jim Harbaugh. It was Harbaugh who recruited Smith to Michigan before he left late last month to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Also included in the message was Smith’s thanks for Sherrone Moore, who replaced Harbaugh as the head coach at Michigan:

 

As a senior, Smith registered 91 total tackles and 10 sacks. He had 25 tackles for a loss as well as two fumble recoveries and one interception this past fall.

Watch: Jaden Simon makes this halfcourt buzzer-beater look effortless

Jaden Smith makes an impressive buzzer-beater for Newark Academy.

Jaden Simon made a buzzer-beater on Thursday night, is shot from way downtown (and then some) looking oh so smooth.

Simon’s three-point heave at the buzzer on Thursday that gave Newark Academy (Livingston, New Jersey) a 48-47 win over Weekauhic (Newark, New Jersey). The shot was the final play in a two-pass set-up that was brilliantly drawn up and executed by Simon’s teammates with just two seconds left in the game.

The ball got to Simon, just inside his own half, and did well to stay in-bounds and get the shot off. A beautiful shot at that and a really fun play to see unfold.

A junior guard, Simon also plays football for Newark Academy. Judging from his celebration, where he (somewhat hilariously) evaded his teammates during the celebration, Simon might have a bright future as a running back as well.

 

The Minutemen improved to 5-4 with the Thursday night win. Simon is averaging 10 points per game for Newark Academy.

Early Signing Day: Jaden Smith signs with Michigan football

This guy is gonna surprise a ton of people once he gets going. #GoBlue

Ratings

Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 – #36 ATH #17
On3 4 263 #18 LB #10
Rivals 3 – #38 LB #23
ESPN 4 104 #9 LB #4
247Sports Composite 4 283 #13 ATH #11
On3 Consensus 4 338 #30 LB #1115

Vitals

Hometown Charlotte (N.C.) West
Projected Position Edge Rusher/Linebacker
Height 6-foot-3
Weight 201-pounds

Notable offers

  • Georgia Tech
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Miami (FL)
  • USC
  • Utah

Readiness Level

Something of a tweener with a high ceiling, he likely will need a year or two to develop.

Notes

  • Committed June 12, 2023
  • Was previously a safety, but could play linebacker or bulk up and play EDGE.

Scouting report

Via Rivals’ Adam Friedman:

Smith is a really interesting prospect as a linebacker, but he looks to be more promising as a pass rusher off the edge. Covering in space is not his forte, and he does not have much experience doing so, but playing downhill between the hashes and coming off the edge as a blitzer will be his primary roles at the next level. Smith doesn’t have a huge frame like a prototypical edge rusher, but there is still a lot of room for him to fill out.

Film

Original commitment story

Michigan football gets another 2024 edge commitment

 

Why did 4-star Jaden Smith commit to Arizona State?

Jaden Smith talks his Arizona State basketball commitment.

Late last week, Jaden Smith picked Arizona State in what was a major recruiting win for head coach Bobby Hurley.

A 6-foot-11 center at Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago, Illinois), Smith is a tremendous defensive presence. As a junior, he averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

He held a number of offers including DePaul, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Loyola (Chicago) and TCU among others. Ranked a four-star recruit according to ESPN, he was the first commitment in the 2024 class for Hurley and Arizona State.

“I chose Arizona State because it felt like home,” Smith told USA TODAY High School Sports.

“I feel that I can thrive in their system and they can help me achieve my dreams of playing in the NBA, and more importantly, winning while I’m there.”

The Hurley impact can’t be understated.

In his eight years at Arizona State, he has taken the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament three times. Last year, they finished 23-13.

Hurley has done a solid job in rebuilding the program and in recruiting talent like Smith.

“Coach Hurley is a legendary coach, learned a lot from him already and feel that I can learn a lot more from him,” Smith said.

“He is the blueprint for what it takes to be great and to be successful at the pro and collegiate level. I look forward to building a stronger relationship with him because he is everything I want in a coach.”

Smith admits that he plays with a chip on his shoulder, which might come as a bit of a surprise given that he is a highly-ranked recruit.

But he said that he feels like there is still a lot to prove and he brings that mentality to Arizona State.

“I feel like that’s how I got to be,” Smith said.

“Got to stay humble and hungry at all times – never too high, never too low, and just staying confident and aggressive.”

He’s just an icon living: 4-star center Jaden Smith is heading to Arizona State basketball

Jaden Smith picks Arizona State.

Jaden Smith made his college decision on Friday, and the four-star center is taking his talents to Arizona State.

A 6-foot-11 talent, Smith plays for Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago, Illinois). He has tremendous length as well as being a good rebounder. He runs the court well and is emerging in the post as a scorer.

Defensively, he is very strong and he is an intimidating presence around the basket.

He is the first commitment to the 2024 class for head coach Bobby Hurley.

He held a number of offers including DePaul, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Loyola (Chicago) and TCU among others.

Last season for Kenwood, he averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He is a four-star recruit according to ESPN.

In mid-October, Smith talked at length about his relationship with Arizona State and Hurley.

“(Coach) Hurley and I have a good relationship. We’ve had some good conversations, and his vision for me to continue to develop my game and in his program and his belief in me to play in the league is exactly the standard I want a coach to have for me,” Smith said.

“Because that’s what I want for myself – to help a program to win, to continue to develop my game and play in the NBA.”

What does “ATH” mean: Breaking down three Michigan commits

More clarity on some top prospects! #GoBlue

Michigan has a history of recruiting versatile players. Whether it be Jabrill Peppers playing essentially every spot on defense (and offense), or Mike Sainristil making the switch from WR to CB without a hitch, Harbaugh loves football guys.

Michigans 2024 class is no different. Jadyn Davis and Jordan Marshall may take the cake as the top names, but Harbaugh and his staff made sure to load up on prospects who can do it all.

As background knowledge, it is important to know what the ‘ATH’ tag means. Essentially, this is a position assigned to athletes who have the ability to play multiple spots at the next level. Sometimes players have it temporarily, other times they carry it throughout the entire cycle.

Players like Trevon Diggs, Jabrill Peppers, and Jordan Addison all finished their respective cycles at athletes, and would go on to have great college careers.

This year, Michigan has three players ready to contribute at different spots: Jacob Oden, Mason Curtis, and Jaden Smith. Each has a different role at their respective high schools, but can be game changers in the winged helmet.