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.
4-star QB Carter Smith on his #Badgers official visit. pic.twitter.com/UEP4MMYHI0
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) November 17, 2024
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.