Former Michigan signee bolts for SEC program

Jaden Smith, four-star athlete from Charlotte, North Carolina, was all-in with Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. Heck, he signed to play at Michigan back in December 2023.

And then, Harbaugh skipped town, choosing an opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL over running it back in Ann Arbor.

Smith remained committed to Michigan for a while as offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was elevated as Harbaugh's replacement, but last week, he asked out of his National Letter of Intent.

This week, he's committed to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Per Josh Edwards of 247Sports, Kentucky came after Smith hard, specifically when now-former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter followed Harbaugh to Los Angeles.

Kentucky can also thank defensive backs coach Chris Collins for this commitment. He has long been cultivating a relationship with the four-star.

Ranked as the No. 11 athlete in the 2024 class, Smith can play safety at 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, but if he bulks up a bit in college, he projects as an elite linebacker.