Wolverine TV: Five Michigan recruits that should be ranked higher on On3
On3 released its updated rankings for the 2025 recruiting class this week. The Wolverine’s EJ Holland shares five Michigan recruits that should be ranked higher, including On300 quarterback commit Carter Smith.
Watch full video above.
Smith Recruitment
Smith had a sensational junior season that saw him pass for 2,223 yards and 29 touchdowns with just four interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, Smith also added 715 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground and led Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot to an 11-2 record.
Smith notched an offer from Michigan in November while on an unofficial visit and gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge later that month.
“I was trying to be patient throughout the recruiting process,” Smith said after his commitment. “I wanted the right school to click. I went up there for that Purdue game and was around for a couple of days. Being around the coaches and the people in the building, it just felt right. There was no problem with it. It had all the benefits I wanted. It just felt like the right place.”
Smith, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida, picked Michigan over offers from Boston College, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and others.
At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Smith is ranked as the No. 14 quarterback and No. 199 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked at the No. 29 overall recruit in the state of Florida for next cycle.
Smith is part of a three-man 2025 Michigan recruiting class that also includes On300 Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens. The class is ranked No. 23 nationally and No. 5 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings.
“We’re going to put together a special class,” Smith said. “I’m taking a lot of pride in building a special group around me.”
Smith is set to be back in Ann Arbor for the annual Michigan spring game next weekend and will surely have his recruiting hat on.
Here is what Holland had to say about his ranking.
“Carter Smith had a really impressive junior season, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Florida,” Holland said. “He’s a dynamic, true dual-threat quarterback. The athleticism is off the charts. The arm talent is there. This is a kid that threw in the 90s as a baseball prospect as a sophomore. He has a cannon for an arm. He can make a lot of plays with his legs.”
