Penn State has efficiently flipped 2025 junior star athlete/linebacker Cameron Smith from Duke. Smith made the announcement Thursday.
Smith initially dedicated to the Blue Devils in February. Penn State, in the meantime, misplaced four-star guard DJ McClary in June when he dedicated to Rutgers from the Nittany Lions. PSU just lately made Smith a precedence goal as a result of a emptiness at linebacker, ultimately transferring him from Duke to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 recruiting class.
“Penn State’s tradition and requirements made it the right alternative,” Smith advised Rivals of his determination to switch to Penn State.
Smith was in Completely satisfied Valley for Penn State’s “Lasch Bash” in late July, and that go to helped the Nittany Lions safe Smith’s dedication. The St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.) standout additionally made a number of different unofficial visits to Portland State throughout his recruitment.
Smith formally visited the Blue Devils over the weekend of Could 31 and has beforehand visited this system unofficially. Notably, Smith started to develop a relationship with the Duke head coach Manny Diaz And Diaz stays Penn State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, which clearly carried over after Diaz took over at Durham. Moreover, Duke Assistant Head Coach/Particular Groups Coordinator/Defensive Deal with Gabe Infante He additionally has shut ties to Smith’s college as he was the pinnacle coach at St. Joseph’s Prep from 2010 to 2018.
With that mentioned, the Nittany Lions made a robust sufficient push to pry Smith away from the Blue Devils. Now at Penn State, Smith will play below a head coach james franklindefensive coordinator Tom Allen and the remainder of the workers.
Smith is at the moment ranked No. 13 at Penn State and No. 20 within the 2025 cycle.
Along with Penn State and Duke, Smith additionally obtained presents from Boston School, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Michigan, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Washington, West Virginia Scholarships from Virginia, Wisconsin and different universities.
Smith is 6-foot, 190 kilos, athletic and versatile. He’s a university stage defender with good pace and bodily attributes. Smith has nice means in go protection, however can also be aggressive and succesful in run assist.
As a junior in 2023, Smith recorded a team-high 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception and one compelled fumble. Final season, Smith helped lead St. Joseph’s Prep to its second consecutive Pennsylvania Interstate Athletic Affiliation (PIAA) 6A state championship. That is the Eagles’ eighth championship in 11 years. Smith was additionally named a U.S. Military All-American.
Off the courtroom, Smith is the 2024 District 12 Class 3A lengthy leap champion.
With the addition of Smith, Penn State’s class of 2025 now totals 24 college students and ranks No. 12 nationally.
In the meantime, Duke’s class of 2025 has dropped to 23 college students, rating thirty fourth nationally.
