The college football recruiting landscape was rocked on Wednesday night when four-star quarterback Carter Smith announced his decommitment from the University of Michigan. Smith, ranked as the No. 3 dual-threat passer in the class of 2025 by ESPN, had been verbally committed to the Wolverines since November 2023. His decision to reopen his recruitment could be the first domino to fall in a potentially seismic shake-up at the game’s most important position.
Smith’s decommitment comes amidst swirling rumors that Michigan has intensified its pursuit of Bryce Underwood, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller from Belleville, Michigan, has been pledged to LSU since January 2024. But with Smith now out of the picture in Ann Arbor, all eyes turn to the in-state phenom as the early signing period looms just over a month away.
Smith Opens Up His Options
In a statement posted to social media, Smith expressed gratitude toward the Michigan coaching staff while announcing his decision to decommit.
I would like to start by thanking the coaching staff at Michigan for everything they have done for me. I would especially like to thank Coach Campbell for everything and for giving me such an incredible opportunity. With that being said, I would like to announce that I have decommitted from the University of Michigan.
Carter Smith, four-star quarterback recruit
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Smith is coming off a spectacular junior season at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida. He threw for 2,223 yards and 29 touchdowns against just four interceptions en route to being named the Sunshine State’s Gatorade Player of the Year for 2024. When Smith committed to Michigan last fall, he chose the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Penn State, Miami, and Cincinnati, among others.
Smith was one of seven ESPN 300 prospects committed to Michigan in the 2025 cycle, checking in at No. 155 overall and No. 6 in the Wolverines’ class. His decommitment leaves a gaping hole at quarterback for head coach Jim Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as they look to build on back-to-back Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances. But it may also open the door for Michigan to make an even bigger splash.
Wolverines Heavily Pursuing No. 1 Underwood
While Michigan was no doubt disappointed to lose a talent like Smith, the Wolverines may have their sights set on an even more prized recruit to fill the void. Underwood, who led Belleville High School to a third consecutive state championship game appearance as a junior in 2024, has been firmly committed to LSU for nearly a year. But according to multiple sources, Michigan has ramped up its efforts to try to flip the five-star passer in recent weeks.
When Underwood originally pledged to the Tigers, he chose them over the Wolverines and Alabama after a record-setting junior campaign in which he threw for 3,165 yards and 40 touchdowns. At the time, he cited LSU’s history of producing NFL quarterbacks and his strong relationship with head coach Brian Kelly as primary factors. But the chance to stay in-state and compete for championships close to home could be an enticing proposition, especially with Michigan’s success over the past two seasons.
As the nation’s top-ranked recruit, Underwood would be a transformative addition for any program in the country. For Michigan specifically, he would provide a seamless succession plan after incumbent starter J.J. McCarthy departs and could be the key to elevating the Wolverines from Big Ten contenders to perennial national title threats. His skill set—a powerful arm, polished mechanics and the athleticism to create plays with his legs—is reminiscent of former Ohio State star turned first-round NFL draft pick C.J. Stroud.
Domino Effect in 2025 QB Class?
The potential ripple effects of Smith’s decommitment and Underwood’s looming decision extend far beyond just Michigan and LSU. If Underwood were to flip to the Wolverines, it would send shockwaves through the 2025 quarterback class and have massive ramifications for numerous top programs still in search of a signal-caller.
Texas, for example, has long been viewed as the favorite to land five-star quarterback Colin Hurley, but the Longhorns have also been heavily recruiting Smith and fellow four-star Emmett Mosley. With Smith back on the market, Texas could pivot to make him a priority, which would then impact the decisions of Hurley, Mosley and others.
Similarly, Ohio State has already missed on a pair of top quarterback targets in the 2025 class and could now zero in on Smith as a contingency plan. Notre Dame and Florida are two other prominent programs still looking for a quarterback that could benefit from Smith’s renewed availability, but his recruitment will be heavily influenced by Underwood’s next move.
As for Michigan, the Wolverines still have options beyond Underwood. In-state four-star Brendan Downey recently decommitted from Iowa and took a visit to Ann Arbor last month. Michigan has also offered a scholarship to three-star California passer Sam Kranz. But there’s no doubt Underwood is the crown jewel and top priority for Harbaugh and his staff in the 2025 cycle.
Ultimately, Smith’s decommitment has kicked off what promises to be a wild ride on the quarterback carousel as the early signing period rapidly approaches. His future destination and Underwood’s final decision will have a cascading effect that alters the plans for numerous top programs and elite quarterback prospects. The next few weeks in college football recruiting could determine which teams position themselves for long-term success—or find themselves scrambling to fill the game’s most important position.
