The Tennessee 2025 recruiting class just got bigger – 6’2”, 265lbs bigger – after three-star defensive lineman Darrion Smith announced his commitment to the Vols on Tuesday evening. The Maryland-native officially chose Tennessee over Ohio State. Rocky Top must have been in the forefront of his mind after spending last weekend in Knoxville during the Big Orange Kickoff. Here are a few things to know about the latest recruit to land at Tennessee.
Blackjack
247sports.com composite rankings list Smith as 650th overall, 69th defensive lineman in the class as well as the 18th best player from Maryland. Smith now becomes the 21st commitment for the Vols 2025 class.
Saints Marching In
Smith is currently enrolled at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. And, he’s not the first Tennessee Vol who attended St. Frances – redshirt senior defensive lineman Dominic Bailey also came from the same school.
Everybody Jump
Besides making an appearance at the Big Orange Kickoff, Smith also paid unofficial visits to UT in April and May of 2024. After visiting this past weekend, Smith could not wait any longer to announce his decision. He told 247sports.com, “I kind of knew going down there that I was going to tell them. I had already talked to my mom and stuff… (I committed) in the stadium. (The coaches) were really excited, jumping up and down.”
Early Bird
Fans won’t need to wait long to see Smith in action. He plans to graduate high school in December and enroll early at UT. “They mentioned that they’re losing a lot of guys, so they’re looking for people that could come in and play right away,” Smith told 247sports.com. “Of course, I have to earn it. But they’re looking for people that can come in right away.”
Only The Best Will Do
While Ohio State was in the mix, playing for a team in the storied SEC helped sway him to the South. “SEC, it’s a big factor because it’s the best,” Smith explained to 247sports.com. “And I’m playing the best right now (at St. Frances Academy), so why not play the best in college?”
