Michigan Wolverines trending for 4-star EDGE Jacob Smith

Michigan landed a commitment from Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy four-star defensive lineman Jerod Smith on April 25. The Wolverines may also land his brother too.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Michigan is now leading for Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy four-star EDGE Jacob Smith at 64.1%. The Wolverines’ odds for Smith rose following expert predictions from EJ Holland and Zach Libby of The Wolverine.

“Smith has locked in his official visit to Michigan on June 2nd and he’ll be joined by his twin brother, who’ll return unofficially,” Libby said. “Predictions were made for the Smith’s to remain together at Michigan because of the resources provided on and off the field in Ann Arbor reigning superior over other programs in contention for the On300 pass rusher.”

Smith is the No. 226 overall prospect and No. 17 EDGE 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. 3 player in Connecticut.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound pass rusher included Michigan in his top six schools. The others are Notre Dame, Kentucky, Nebraska, Georgia and Alabama.

For more Michigan recruiting intel, check out The Wolverine.

Landing Smith would mark another big recruiting win for Michigan

Both Jacob and Jerod visited Michigan on March 28. Jerod is currently one of 11 four-star pledges in the Wolverines’ 2024 recruiting class.

“He’s brought that program from good to very good these past few years with back-to-back Big Ten championships,” Smith told On3’s Chad Simmons about head coach Jim Harbaugh. “I think what’s next for them is a national championship. I’m hoping to help out with that. The way he’s developed that program to what it is to this day is very huge and it shows how good of a coach he is.”

Right now, Michigan’s 2024 class is No. 5 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 in the Big Ten. It is led by three top-100 prospects in Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School four-star quarterback Jadyn Davis, Rochester (Mich.) Adams four-star tight end Brady Prieskorn and Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller four-star running back Jordan Marshall.

Five players have chosen the Wolverines this month. They are Prieskorn, Jerod Smith, Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst four-star offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift four-star offensive tackle Blake Frazier and Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Ponte Vedra three-star interior offensive lineman Jake Guarnera.