Michigan vaults into Top 10 in 2025 recruiting rankings following commitment of On300 QB Carter Smith

Michigan jumps to No. 10 overall on the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings following the verbal commitment of On300 Ft. Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith on Tuesday.

At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Carter is ranked as the No. 112 overall prospect and No. 8 quarterback in the country, according to On3. He’s also the No. 17 player in Florida.

He’s the first pledge for Michigan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell next cycle.

“We’ve built a pretty strong relationship over the last couple of months,” Smith told The Wolverine earlier this month. “(Campbell) came in the spring, and it really picked up once recruiting opened up for our class. We kept in contact a couple of times a week, and I was finally able to get up there. As a person, he’s a great guy. I love being around him. I really like the way he operates with the quarterbacks and his philosophy.”

Smith made his first-ever visit to Michigan during the weekend of the Purdue game, where Campbell personally offered in person. It was his opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of The Big House at night and come away with a strong feeling of the Wolverines.

“It was awesome,” Smith said. “It was great to get up there and get around the coaching staff. I walked around the campus and got a feel for everything. I got a facility tour. Friday was mainly hanging around the coaches, the players and the people in the building. For it being my first game, it really impressed. It was definitely a sight to see.”  

Michigan 2025 Recruiting Class

Following Smith’s commitment, the Wolverines are among the 23 schools at the Division I level with at least 3 verbal pledges. Their overall ranking sits higher than the likes of Penn State, Tennessee, UCF, Arkansas and Wisconsin.

Rounding out Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class are Top 100 Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Chris Ewald Jr. and four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka.

Dozens of 2025 top targets remain on Michigan’s board, including five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, five-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day offensive tackle David Sanders, five-star Zephyrhills (Fla.) High safety DJ Pickett, Top 100 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy athlete Alex Graham, Top 100 Katy (Tex.) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh and On300 Mukilteo (Wash.) Kamiak tight end T’Andre Waverly.

2025 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings

The Wolverines currently sit No. 3 in the Big Ten Conference and trail Oregon and Ohio State. 8 of the 16 programs currently don’t have a commit next cycle.

1. Oregon

2. Ohio State

3. Michigan

4. Penn State

5. Wisconsin

6. Nebraska

7. Purdue

8. Iowa

9. Washington

10. Rutgers