Former 4-star Michigan QB chooses new Big Ten school

Amid Michigan’s highly publicized pursuit of five-star Belleville 2025 quarterback Bryce Underwood, four-star Bishop Verot signee Carter Smith of Fort Myers, Fla., reneged on his verbal commitment to the Wolverines on Oct. 30.

Michigan secured a commitment from Underwood on Thursday, transferring him from LSU, and Smith also found a new home.

The No. 164 prospect nationally according to the 247Sports Composite announced his commitment to play at Wisconsin on social media Sunday night.

“I have spoken with many coaches in such a short time and have formed many amazing relationships,” Smith wrote in a first-person article in the News-Press. “I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities that have been offered to me. With that said, I decided to attend the University of Wisconsin.

“I fell in love with everything they had to offer: a passionate fan base, incredible coaching staff and excellent education. I couldn’t be luckier! Let’s go, Badgers!

Smith was one of the first players to join Michigan’s 2025 class in November 2023, when Jim Harbaugh was still coach. He visited Ann Arbor for the Wolverines’ matchup against Michigan State on Oct. 26, but soon after, the entire Michigan court press’s attempt to acquire Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the country, received widespread publicity.

“He was extremely disappointed in the way they handled everything,” Smith’s father, Dan Smith, told ESPN.

With his recruiting reopening, Carter, Florida’s 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year, received interest from several schools and took an official visit to Wisconsin on Nov. 15 against No. 1 Oregon. He becomes the top prospect in the Badgers’ class and the second former Michigan player to select Wisconsin in the last week. The four-star defensive lineman from Palatine (Ill.) decommitted on Wednesday.

Michigan turning its attention to Underwood in a season in which the offense was largely inept signals a turnaround in its recruiting class under first-year head coach Sherron Moore. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Underwood is set to receive a million-dollar name, image and likeness package when he is expected to sign his letter of intent during the Dec. 4-6 early signing period.

The state record holder in passing yards and total touchdowns is Michigan’s second No. 1 recruit in the online rankings era.