Penn State named team to watch for newly decommitted Michigan QB

James Franklin and Penn State football are expected to be among the top programs pushing for 2025 Bishop Verot (Florida) quarterback Carter Smith in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day. The four-star passer announced his decommitment from Michigan on Wednesday night.

Smith committed to the Wolverines under then-coach Jim Harbaugh in November 2023. However, in recent weeks, Michigan has ramped up its efforts to flip in-state quarterback and LSU commit Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top overall prospect for the 2025 recruiting class.

Franklin and the Nittany Lions were linked to Smith soon after his decommitment. On3’s Steve Wiltfong immediately identified Penn State, Clemson, and Wisconsin as programs to watch moving forward.

Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith has decommitted from Michigan. Schools to watch moving forward include Clemson, Penn State and Wisconsin. Story: https://t.co/6HtePrL0YG https://t.co/XQyR001cRa pic.twitter.com/hQX0cs1hYf

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) October 31, 2024

“We’ve had multiple schools get back to us and are ready to take him,” Smith’s father, Dan, told On3. “I think that’s the direction. There were a couple surprises in there because they have kids right now.”

The No. 27 prospect out of the Sunshine State, Carter Smith is the 18th-ranked quarterback in the class and the No. 199 player overall, according to the On3 Industry Rankings for 2025.

The 2023 Gatorade Florida Player of the Year, Smith threw for 2,223 yards, 29 touchdowns, and four interceptions while rushing for 715 yards and 19 scores last fall. Playing varsity since his freshman year, Smith has thrown for at least 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in each of his three high school seasons.

© Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Current 2025 quarterback situation for Penn State, other anticipated contenders

Penn State football currently holds a commitment from three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza in the 2025 cycle.

Starting his senior season at Miami Central (Florida), Kritza recently made a mid-season transfer to Chaminade-Madonna Prep, home of Nittany Lions wide receiver commit Koby Howard. Kritza, who is set to be back in Happy Valley this weekend for the Ohio State game, was replaced as starter at Miami Central earlier in the year.

As for the other programs expected to make a run at Carter Smith, Wisconsin currently holds a commitment from three-star Landyn Locke. Clemson is now in the market for a quarterback after losing its 2025 pledge, Blake Hebert, to Notre Dame in mid-October.

With 25 total commitments, Penn State football holds the No. 16 class nationally in the 2025 cycle.

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