4-star DL Jerod Smith flips commitment to Kentucky from Michigan

Corbin (Ky.) four-star defensive lineman Jerod Smith has announced that he has flipped his commitment from Michigan to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Smith originally committed to the Wolverines back in April before his twin brother, Jacob Smith, joined the class in July. Now, Jerod Smith is heading back to the state of Kentucky with the in-state Wildcats.

Smith is the No. 255 overall prospect and No. 26 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 player in Kentucky.

The twins had moved away to Connecticut’s Cheshire Academy before committing to Michigan. Since moving back to their home state of Kentucky, however, the Wildcats picked up steam in their recruitment.

“It does feel like Kentucky got thrown a lifeline in a seemingly dead recruitment when the twins decided to move back home,” KSR.com writer Nick Roush told The Wolverine’s Zach Libby.

For more Kentucky recruiting intel, check out KSR+.

Smith currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $65,000. 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.