Jerod Smith, a 4-star Kentucky DL target, commits to Michigan

One-half of the Smith twins duo will be playing college football in Ann Arbor.

On Tuesday night, four-star class of 2024 defensive lineman Jerod Smith announced his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines. Smith, who began his high school career in Somerset, KY before transferring to play in Connecticut, had Kentucky among his Top 10 finalists but ultimately elected to land with Michigan.

“Seeing the phenomenal facilities and meeting with all the coaches, that really made it feel like home,” Smith told On3’s Chad Simmons. “The time I got to speak with coach (Elston) on that visit, it felt like we just hung out the whole day. We had meetings, we went over how they see me fitting and then I got to watch him coach a little bit. That was really huge.”

AGTG🙏🏿 Ann Arbor I’m Home 〽️@Hayesfawcett3 @Coach_Mella pic.twitter.com/6eKo50vPfb

— Jerod Smith (@Jerodsmith44) April 25, 2023

Jerod’s twin, Jacob Smith, is also a four-star prospect who took the same high school path as Jerod, but he appears to be trending in a different direction than his brother. Kentucky is also in contention, but Notre Dame is the current favorite for Jacob, per On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine. The two had previously said they expected to play together at the next level, although that no longer appears to be the case.

The Smith twins last visited Kentucky during the program’s annual Junior Day in late January. Led by defensive coordinator Brad White, UK started recruiting them back in the summer of 2021 and leaned on the “hometown hero” pitch. But a visit to Michigan, which offered them just a few months ago, for both in late March turned the tide for Jerod.

Jerod Smith is considered the No. 316 prospect in the ’24 class and the No. 28 overall DL, per the On3 Industry Ranking.