Jackson Smith, America's Top-Ranked Kicker, Commits to Kentucky

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One of the best kickers in America will represent his home state at the University of Kentucky. Boyle County’s Jackson Smith announced on Kentucky Sports Radio that he will be a Wildcat.

I’m staying home! @UKCoachStoops @CoachHaddix11 @Prokickercom @Coach_Matsakis @UKFootball pic.twitter.com/yuKyc3ouLR

— jackson smith (@jacksonsmithh27) April 8, 2021

The son of former Wildcat Andy Smith, an All-SEC punter that set a school record in 1999, Jackson Smith is a two-time First Team All-State placekicker for Boyle County. Last December at Kroger Field Smith made a 23-yard go-ahead field goal in overtime to lift the Rebels to a 4A State Championship.

ProKicker.com ranks Smith as the No. 1 kicker and punter in America. Recruited by UK for years, Smith first made headlines across the Commonwealth when he booted a ball 51 yards through the uprights as an eighth grader.

Smith isn’t your average kicker. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete also serves as the team’s punter, letting it rip from the pocket or by rolling out Aussie-style. He’s not just a specialist. Smith lines up at outside linebacker and runs routes as a wide receiver. Despite his many talents, he’ll focus primarily on placekicking duties in Lexington.

The Wildcats have now received commitments from in-state stars in three straight weeks. Smith’s decision follows four-star offensive lineman Grant Bingham and four-star athlete Treyveon Longmire. Kentucky now has five commitments in the 2022 class that ranks in the top 30 nationally, and they could be adding more soon when the Wade twins and Kiyaunta Goodwin make their college decisions next weekend.