Former Michigan signee Jaden Smith commits to Kentucky

Charlotte (NC) West Charlotte 2024 edge/linebacker and former Wolverine signee Jaden Smith committed to Kentucky on Monday evening, per 247Sports. The new Michigan defensive staff never really received an opportunity to bring the four-star back in the fold after he decided to request a release from his National Letter of Intent last week; in his announcement, he cited a long list of Michigan coaches who were no longer a part of the program.

Smith’s plan was to make a quick decision per national analyst Anna Adams.

“Jaden doesn’t want to extend things out,” Smith’s brother Armand Brown told Adams last week. “Plan is to reconnect with schools that previously recruited Jaden and build relationships with some new programs (i.e. Auburn and Colorado) that enter the picture, then take two or three visits, maybe a couple more, and make a decision.” 

Recruited originally by former linebackers coach Chris Partridge, Smith was viewed as one of the higher ceiling prospects in Michigan’s class and his final ranking reflected that after not being ranked or rated when committing to the Wolverines.

“We haven’t seen his better days yet — the kid could grow into something spectacular,” Smith’s coach Sam Greiner told 247Sports earlier in the process. “He could be an edge rusher to an inside linebacker. He has the capability to cover. He’s what they’re looking for in this day and age at linebacker. When he gets on an eating table, you’re going to see this 190-pound body become 230 pounds and still be able to bend and run legit 4.5 40s.”

The four-star finished the recruiting process ranked 284th overall in the 2024 247Sports Composite rankings. He originally chose Michigan over Kentucky, USC and a host of others.