Jaden Smith, a highly regarded athlete hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, had originally committed to playing for the Michigan Wolverines under the guidance of coach Jim Harbaugh. In fact, he had officially signed with Michigan in December 2023.
However, things took an unexpected turn when Harbaugh decided to leave his position and pursue an opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, rather than continuing his coaching tenure in Ann Arbor.
Despite the departure of Jim Harbaugh, Jaden Smith initially maintained his commitment to Michigan when offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted to replace Harbaugh. However, last week, Smith made the decision to request a release from his National Letter of Intent.
In a surprising turn of events, Smith has now made a new commitment to join the Kentucky Wildcats.
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According to Josh Edwards of 247Sports, Kentucky pursued Jaden Smith aggressively, especially after former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter joined Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. The Wildcats can also attribute this commitment to the efforts of their defensive backs coach, Chris Collins, who has been nurturing a relationship with Smith for a considerable period of time. Collins’ dedication and rapport with the four-star athlete played a significant role in securing his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats.
Jaden Smith, ranked as the 11th best athlete in the 2024 class, possesses the versatility to play safety at his current measurements of 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds. However, there is potential for him to transition into an exceptional linebacker at the collegiate level if he adds some muscle and size to his frame. With additional growth and development during his college career, Smith has the projection to become an elite linebacker with his combination of size, athleticism, and skills.
