4-star OT Carde Smith decommits from USC

Mobile (Ala.) Williamson four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith has decommitted from USC, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Smith had previously been pledged to the Trojans since August 5, and was also at one time committed to Auburn before backing off that decision in June.

Colorado is now trending as the major favorite to land him, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

That includes expert picks from On3 national experts Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons, as well as AuburnLive.com’s Jeffrey Lee.

“The chatter behind the scenes has been picking up for some time and Colorado looks to be close to flipping Carde Smith from USC,” Simmons wrote last week. “The one-time Auburn commit flipped to USC and now the Buffaloes look to be on the verge of flipping him from the Trojans. Smith sees an opportunity to play right away in Boulder, and the way the program has performed on the field this season has caught his attention.”

The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder is the No. 227 overall prospect and No. 20 offensive tackle in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3, however, is higher on him than other services. In the most recent On300 rankings released in early September, Smith was tabbed as the nation’s No. 140 recruit, No. 12 offensive tackle and No. 5 prospect in Alabama.

Buffaloes picking up steam late in the cycle

Smith is one of a number of targets that Deion Sanders and Co. are looking to add to their class as National Signing Day looms.

The Buffaloes are also the heavy favorites for four-star Carrollton (Ga.) quarterback Julian Lewis, who recently backed off his longtime pledge to USC as well.

Colorado is also battling Michigan for four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Ohio State for four-star EDGE London Merritt, and Alabama for five-star offensive line commit Michael Carroll.

Carroll has been a verbal to Alabama since June, but he recently visited Boulder and came away extremely impressed.

“My kid is awestruck with the scenery and everything,” Carroll’s father told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. 

The elder Carroll confirmed the Buffaloes are giving his son a lot to think about.

“The attention, the success of other (offensive linemen) playing early,” he said of what stands out.