Michigan lands a commitment from talented dual-threat 2025 QB Carter Smith

The Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot standout talks about his decision to play for the Wolverines.

Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot 2025 quarterback Carter Smith announced his commitment to Michigan on Tuesday, becoming commit No. 3 for head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff early in the cycle.

Smith was in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines victory over Purdue and chooses the Maize and Blue over an offer list that also includes Florida, Florida State, Miami, Louisville, NC State, Ole Miss, Penn State and Texas A&M.

“The coaching staff and the people in the football building sold it,” Smith said. “The academics and the environment at the game were definitely a big bonus!

Quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell was the lead recruiter in courting the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Smith, who aims to help keep a program that’s played in the last two College Football Playoffs while eyeing a third-straight Big Ten title and hopefully more rolling.

“Just the history of the program alone is special, but what they are doing as program is top of the line, and so is what Coach Campbell does with the quarterbacks,” Smith said.

Smith is having a terrific prep career. A three-year varsity starter, he’s completed over 60 percent of his attempts through 34 games with nearly 7,000 yards passing and 69 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,878 yards and 41 more scores. As a junior he’s thrown 25 touchdowns to just one pick with another 16 rushing scores through 10 games.

The environment in Arbor was one Smith wanted to be in and he gave his visit two weekends ago high marks.

“It was awesome,” Smith said. “The coaching staff is great very welcoming towards us. The facilities were top of the line. The atmosphere at the game was crazy, to see that many people packed into the stadium was cool.”

Michigan has a lot of the things the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Smith is looking for in a school.

“I think I fit their scheme offensively and I think I’ll be able to really develop as a quarterback there,” Smith said. “Quality of people there, everyone was very down to earth and very welcoming.

“Had a good meeting with Coach (Jim) Harbaugh, and spent quite a bit of time with Coach (Kirk) Campbell!”

Smith’s parents are ecstatic about their son’s decision as well.

“I tell you we’ve been to quite a few places and got to experience what everybody has to offer and Michigan felt a like a whole different level when it came to culture and community,” Dan Smith said. “There is a lot of things Michigan does that other places don’t that we want our son to be involved with. Their parents’ tailgate is the whole practice field next to the facility and it’s only family and friends and players can come out and see the parents before the game. I can go on and on about how great it is up there.”

Smith has a ton of upside, a former baseball standout that is now just beginning to work with private quarterback trainer Will Hewlett. Perfect Game has Carter ranked as the No. 1 short stop in the country when he was 14.

“Growing up I was always very big on him, when football season started in August and as soon as it finished in November, December he’d not do anything and January start baseball up and that’s January through the summer,” the elder Smith said. “Last year he made the decision to focus on football and to see him make the decision and go all in to play quarterback at that high level was really cool. He did that on his own. It’s all coming to fruition in that last year and a half or so.”

247Sports Director of Scouting and Florida native Andrew Ivins gives his take on Smith as a prospect.

“An athletic quarterback prospect with an impressive baseball background that will exit high school having played a ton of varsity snaps,” Ivins wrote in his scouting report. “A bit unorthodox as a passer with a lower release point, but makes things happen more times than not, showing plenty of field command. Has operated primarily out of a pro-style spread attack the past few years and found tons of success coordinating run-pass options as he can evade defenders and change directions while keeping his eyes down field. Can generate plenty of whip and attack the sticks, but must get more consistent with his ball placement as he tends to miss low. Improved touch on his deep shots could also unlock some things. Tossed six interceptions as a sophomore, but cut down on the mistakes as a junior, turning the ball over just twice during the regular season. Should be viewed as a mobile signal caller that can win from the pocket if he can stay in rhythm and on schedule. Likely going to need some time to develop, but has tools to win games at the Power Five level.”