Keidron Smith, Ole Miss Defensive Back, Transfers to Kentucky

One of the top available defensive backs in the transfer portal will be taking his talents to Lexington. Keidron Smith announced today that he will transfer to the University of Kentucky. The former Ole Miss Rebel chose the Wildcats over Missouri, Virginia Tech and Indiana.

Something about that Kentucky Blue⚪️🔵 #BBN #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/eFh5K0jVUQ

— Keidron Smith (@KeidronS) April 22, 2022

Prior to his announcement Smith was the fourth-ranked uncommitted player in the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports. A 6-foot-2, 215 pound athlete, the Super Senior did a little bit of everything for Ole Miss throughout his four-year career.

“We are very excited to have Keidron join our Wildcat family,” Mark Stoops said in a statement. “He is a veteran player who started and saw a lot of snaps at corner and safety in the Southeastern Conference. He’s versatile, he’s intelligent and he’s mature. I like his competitive nature and he’s a great addition to our defense.”

Originally a low three-star prospect from South Florida, Smith racked up 224 career tackles in Oxford, picked off five passes and forced five fumbles. He started his career as a cornerback, then switched to a hybrid safety position last fall, finishing with career highs in tackles (65) and interceptions (2). Keidron Smith checks multiple boxes for Mark Stoops’ secondary.

Smith Addresses Position of Need

For the second straight season, Kentucky has used a former Ole Miss standout to fill a position of need after an injury on the Wildcats’ defense during spring practice. Following D’Eryk Jackson‘s Achilles injury in the spring of 2021, Kentucky plucked Jacquez Jones from the portal. The linebacker led the team in tackles and provided a few game-save pass break-ups. Smith has positional versatility to help mitigate the loss of Vito Tisdale.

Tisdale was projected to be Kentucky’s No. 1 option at the nickel/medium position, and he received some reps at cornerback prior to his season-ending injury. Joel Williams is the only nickel/medium available and spent some of the spring sidelined by an injury. Even though UK will use more traditional base 3-4 defense this fall, Smith will fit into this sub-package like a glove. He has the size for it, and unlike Williams, a ton of experience against SEC competition.

Stoops may dip Smith’s toes into the cornerback waters as well. After all, Smith’s size is exactly what UK’s head coach loves in his cornerbacks. However, Kentucky will likely still pursue another defensive back in the transfer portal. They need at least one more full-time cornerback to insert into the rotation with Carrington Valentine and Dru Phillips.

Kentucky’s secondary needed some help. Smith can fit in at multiple spots while providing invaluable SEC experience on the perimeter of the Kentucky defense.