Devin Smith, 3-Star LB, Commits to Kentucky

For the second straight Friday, a talented Smith joined the Big Blue Nation — although technically, it happened on Saturday. The UK defense picked up a significant addition when Devin Smith announced his commitment to Kentucky overnight, choosing the Wildcats over the Bayou Bengals from LSU.

“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 Twitter.

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 @ The University Of Kentucky @UKFootball. 🔵⚪️#BBN #ImHome #Committed pic.twitter.com/p13eOhT6oj

— Devin Smith (@datboy_dd) September 23, 2023

Hailing from Brunswick, Ga., Smith is a 6-1, 215-pound athlete who can play on the EDGE or off the ball as an inside linebacker. A three-star talent, he’s the No. 62 linebacker in the country according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

Devin Smith is commitment No. 20 in Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class that ranks right around the top 25 nationally. The addition of Smith fortifies the strength of this class, the front seven. Eight of the verbal commitments can play inside or outside linebacker, headlined by three four-star talents, Elijah Groves and the Smith Twins.

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Devin Smith Brings Athleticism from the Peach State

There were some heavy hitters competing against the Cats for the services of Devin Smith. He received scholarship offers from 33 different programs, eventually whittling that down to a top five that featured Alabama, Auburn, LSU and South Carolina.

The Tigers were Kentucky’s top competition until Brad White and Chris Collins made a big move this fall. Smith took an official visit to Lexington for the season opener vs. Ball State. After seeing the blueprint for success, Smith was all-in, becoming the fourth commitment Collins has brought in from the state of Georgia in the 2024 cycle.

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. 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. Take a closer look at the newest member of the Big Blue Nation.

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