After nearly a full year of commitment to Michigan, 2025 four-star quarterback Carter Smith has announced he is flipping his commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers. Smith, who initially pledged to Michigan last November, made the decision to decommit just a few weeks ago. This came amid Michigan’s highly publicized and widely discussed push for five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.
While Smith and his family haven’t officially stated that Underwood’s recruitment played a direct role in his decision to flip, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that the competition for a spot with a higher-profile recruit influenced his choice.
Let’s Work!🦡@CoachFick @CoachRodeBV @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/zE7jDww3Nj
— Carter Smith (@_CarterSmith9) November 24, 2024
In today’s college football landscape, where NIL deals and the transfer portal have fundamentally changed the recruiting game, decisions like Smith’s are becoming more common. College athletes often face a balancing act between staying loyal to their original commitments and pursuing the best opportunities available. Smith’s decommitment and eventual switch to Wisconsin reflect the harsh realities of the recruiting world, where teams sometimes have to prioritize top-tier recruits, even if it means losing a solid option like Smith.
The situation is reminiscent of many in the business world, where people often switch jobs when they feel undervalued or when better opportunities arise. If I were in Smith’s position, I wouldn’t blame him for making the switch, especially if the uncertainty surrounding Michigan’s pursuit of Underwood made him feel less secure about his future there. After all, in the fast-moving world of college football, it’s often about seizing the best opportunity when it presents itself.
If Smith stays at Wisconsin for four years—a scenario that is far from guaranteed in today’s college football environment—he will have two opportunities to face Michigan: once in Ann Arbor next year and again in Madison in 2028, as outlined by Michigan’s future schedules.
Let’s Work!🦡@CoachFick @CoachRodeBV @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/zE7jDww3Nj
— Carter Smith (@_CarterSmith9) November 24, 2024
Despite this setback for Michigan, the team remains focused on its larger goals for the future. As for Smith, we at Maize n Brew wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on his new journey with the Wisconsin Badgers. His decision highlights the shifting dynamics of college football recruitment, where the pursuit of top talent often leads to unexpected outcomes.
Let’s Work!🦡@CoachFick @CoachRodeBV @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/zE7jDww3Nj
— Carter Smith (@_CarterSmith9) November 24, 2024