On300 QB Carter Smith decommits from Michigan amid Bryce Underwood rumors

On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith has backed out of his commitment to Michigan.

“Circumstances have changed and we think the best option moving forward is to open his recruitment up,” Smith’s father Dan said.

Smith notched an offer from Michigan in November while on an unofficial visit and gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge later that month.

Smith, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida, picked Michigan over offers from Boston College, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and others.

However, Michigan recently jumped back in the race for five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood. This move obviously caused some tension behind the scenes, and Smith decided it was best to explore other options.

Underwood, the No. 1 ranked recruit nationally, has been committed to LSU since January. Michigan has a significant NIL offer on the table and is doing everything in can to flip him before signing day. With Smith no longer in the class, it is imperative for the Wolverines to steal away Underwood.

Michigan did push to keep Smith in the class despite the Underwood situation. However, those efforts to hold his verbal pledge fell short.

At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Smith is ranked as the No. 18 quarterback and No. 199 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked at the No. 27 overall recruit in the state of Florida this cycle.

Michigan now has 16 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, Top 100 Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety Ivan Taylor, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.