4-star LB Cam Smith flips to Penn State from Duke: ‘I fit into their scheme perfectly’

Philadelphia (Penn.) St. Joseph’s Prep School four-star linebacker Cam Smith originally committed to Duke on Feb. 8. While still locked in with the Blue Devils, he took a trip to Penn State’s Lasch Bash recruiting event on the weekend of July 27. 

Following his trip to State College, he began thinking about flipping to the Nittany Lions. The 6-foot-0.5, 200-pound recruit decided to do so on the night of Aug. 6 and has now made his flip official. 

“I believe I fit into their scheme perfectly,” Smith told On3. “I feel like they will develop me into a great linebacker and I have a chance at winning a national championship there.” 

Penn State pursued Smith earlier on in his recruitment, but stopped once he pledged to Duke. Yet the Big Ten program resumed communication with him between late June and early July. 

Smith is looking forward to playing for Penn State

The No. 8 player in Pennsylvania is excited to play at Beaver Stadium on Saturdays in the future. Being around the program during the Lasch Bash weekend was one thing that helped him realize he wanted to be a Nittany Lion. 

“The visit had some impact on my decision since it allowed me to speak to the coaches in person,” said Smith, the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 26 linebacker in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “But I’d say my previous knowledge and the meetings I had played a bigger role in my decision.” 

Landing Smith gives head coach James Franklin and his staff commitments from four of the top 10 players in Pennsylvania this cycle. Now that he has joined Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class, Smith is ready to help the Nittany Lions chase a national title.

“I’ve been up there a couple of times,” Smith said. “I feel like everyone wants to take care of business and they have fun doing it.”