Four-Star QB Carter Smith Decommits from Michigan Amid Recruiting Shifts
In a surprising development that has reshaped the narrative of Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, four-star quarterback Carter Smith announced Monday that he has officially decommitted from the Wolverines. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal-caller from Sarasota, Florida, had been committed to Michigan since November 2023 and was previously considered one of the cornerstones of the Wolverines’ future offensive plans.
Smith, ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in the 2025 class by multiple recruiting services and a consensus four-star recruit, made his announcement via social media, thanking the Michigan staff and fans for their support throughout his recruitment.
“After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Michigan and reopen my recruitment,” Smith wrote. “This was not an easy decision. I want to thank Coach Moore and the rest of the Michigan coaching staff for believing in me. I have great respect for the program, but I feel that I need to reassess my options and find the best fit for my future.”
The timing of Smith’s decommitment is noteworthy. It comes just days after Michigan flipped No. 1 overall prospect and fellow quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU in a headline-grabbing recruiting win. Underwood’s commitment was widely celebrated in Ann Arbor, but it also raised questions about the impact on the rest of the quarterback room — particularly Smith.
Sources close to the situation say that Smith had not spoken publicly about his concerns, but had been quietly evaluating his standing on the depth chart ever since Underwood’s recruitment intensified in recent weeks. With Underwood now locked in as Michigan’s quarterback of the future, Smith likely saw fewer opportunities to make an early impact.
“Carter is a competitor, and he wants to be somewhere he can develop and potentially play early,” a source close to Smith’s family said. “The Underwood news obviously changed the calculus, and Michigan was up front with him about how it could affect the quarterback room. Carter just decided to explore other opportunities.”
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has not issued an official statement on Smith’s decommitment, but insiders say the staff remains respectful of his decision and expects to stay in contact as Smith evaluates his next move. While losing a top-tier quarterback is never ideal, Michigan’s quarterback room remains loaded, and the addition of Underwood provides both immediate and long-term stability.
Smith now re-enters a quarterback market that is increasingly fluid, with several top programs still searching for their signal-caller in the 2025 class. Schools such as Miami, Florida State, Penn State, and even TCU have reportedly shown interest in the Florida native since news of his decommitment surfaced.
Despite the setback, Michigan’s 2025 class still ranks among the top five nationally, buoyed by recent additions and the momentum of a national championship in the 2024 season. The staff is expected to continue recruiting multiple quarterbacks to ensure depth and competition, even with Underwood now firmly committed.
As for Smith, he remains one of the most intriguing names now back on the board — a mobile, accurate passer with strong leadership traits and proven production against top Florida competition. Wherever he lands, Smith will likely bring immediate credibility and depth to his next program’s quarterback room.
His decommitment underscores how fluid the recruiting process remains in the NIL and transfer portal era, where depth charts shift overnight and elite athletes have more power than ever to choose their best path.
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