Michigan lands commitment from versatile LB Jaden Smith

Michigan has scored another commitment on the recruiting trail.

Just a day after reeling in three-star Princeton (N.J.) Hun School defensive lineman Owen Wafle, the Wolverines picked up a verbal pledge from three-star Charlotte (N.C.) West Charlotte linebacker Jaden Smith.

Smith committed to U-M over finalists Kentucky, Louisville, USC, Virginia Tech, Utah and Georgia Tech on Monday.

I like the way the made the playoffs and had a great defense,” Smith said.

Smith picked up an offer from Michigan during the spring evaluation period when Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge stopped by to see him in workout.

“It meant a lot to me,” Smith said. “It was pretty exciting getting a Michigan offer. I wasn’t really expecting that. I had only been talking to them for a couple of days before they came up to the school and offered. I was excited.”

Partridge led the way for Michigan in this recruitment and ultimately secured his commitment.

“He’s a good guy,” Smith said. “He gave me some advice that I never got before. He said that he liked the way that I played and talked about how I could fit in and stuff like that.”

Smith made an unofficial visit to Michigan earlier this month. He is set to be back for his official visit on June 23.

At 6-foot-3, 187 pounds, Smith, who also has experience playing safety, is ranked as the No. 30 linebacker in the country and No. 14 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina this cycle, per On3.

Michigan now has 19 commits in its 2024 recruiting class — Top 100 Rochester (Mich.) Adams tight end Brady Prieskorn, Top 100 Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day quarterback Jadyn Davis, Top 100 Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller running back Jordan Marshall, On300 Harper Woods (Mich.) High defensive back Jacob Oden, On300 Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth linebacker Mason Curtis, On300 Bellevue (Wash.) High tight end Hogan Hansen, On300 Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst offensive lineman Andrew Sprague, On300 Austin (Texas) Vandegrift offensive lineman Blake Frazier, four-star Avon (Ohio) High offensive lineman Luke Hamilton, four-star Cheshire (Conn.) Academy defensive lineman Jerod Smith, three-star Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier defensive lineman Ted Hammond, three-star Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall defensive lineman Manuel Beigel, three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day wide receiver Channing Goodwin, three-star Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan, three-star Princeton (N.J.) Hun Shool defensive lineman Owen Wafle, three-star Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High offensive lineman Jake Guarnera, three-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward offensive lineman Ben Roebuck, three-star Charlotte (N.C.) West Charlotte linebacker Jaden Smith and three-star South Park (Pa.) High linebacker Zach Ludwig.

The class entered the day ranked No. 6 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 2 in the Big Ten behind Ohio State.