2024 LB Devin Smith commits to Kentucky Wildcats

Brunswick (Ga.) three-star linebacker Devin Smith has committed to Kentucky.

He chose the Wildcats over the LSU Tigers. He also held offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Tennessee.

“Not the way I wanted to announce it on a night of a tough loss in the city championship, however, I’m happy to announce my decision to spend the next 3-4 years furthering my football and academic career at The University Of Kentucky,” Smith wrote on social media.

Smith is the No. 614 overall prospect and No. 62 linebacker in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 70 player in Georgia.

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Smith has taken three visits to Lexington, including a recent game visit on Sept. 1. for the Wildcats’ first game of the season against Ball State. He announced his decision date following the OV, naming UK and LSU as the two finalists. Mark Stoops and Co. won the battle of the big cats.

Smith racked up 63 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior at Brunswick. He was tabbed to the Georgia Preseason All-State Team by The Atlanta Journal-Consitution ahead of his senior campaign. He can play the edge or on the inside.

Smith does not have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Smith joins growing class in Lexington

With the addition of Smith, Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class now ranks No. 25 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. The Cats now have 20 pledges, six of whom are four-stars.

Smith is the 10th defensive player to join the fold and the fourth linebacker, joining Cross Plains (Tenn.) East Robertson four-star Elijah Groves, Atlanta Westlake three-star Antwan Smith and Powell (Tenn.) three-star Steven Soles.

“It’s become abundantly clear that Brad White has a type. He wants to fill his defense with lengthy, explosive athletes that have a high ceiling,” wrote KSR’s Nick Roush. “The key to Smith’s development is in the weight room. He has the frame and athleticism to develop into the latest star UK linebacker from South Georgia. Devin Smith has great get-off at the line of scrimmage and he moves well enough to pursue opponents in the open-field at the back of the defense.”