The Virginia football team addressed another position of need through the transfer portal on Thursday when Pennsylvania cornerback Kendren Smith made the call for the Hoos. The graduate transfer has one year of eligibility remaining.
Smith, who came to college out of Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina where he also ran track, reported offers from Arkansas State, Tulsa, North Texas, and more before choosing UVA. He announced his decision on social media.
Blessed! #GoHoos 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/XgE6ceT9kB
— Kendren Smith (@ksmith_01) December 14, 2023
One of the top defensive backs from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in the portal, Smith fills an important position of need for the Wahoos. Virginia brought in Tayvonn Kyle and Sam Westfall this past season as defensive backs with one year of eligibility remaining so they must refill those spots and Coen King also finished his Cavalier career. Plus, William Simpkins III, Dave Herard, and Lex Long entered the transfer portal from UVA as players that could line up as secondary.
Smith brings a lot of experience to the table to help rebuild the roster. The 6’1″, 200-pounder played in 33 games for Penn and earned first-team All-Ivy League honors each of the past two seasons. He finished his career there with 137 tackles, 24 pass breakups, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He joins fellow Ivy League transfer Tyler Neville with the Hoos. The Harvard tight end committed earlier in the week.
Smith displayed press coverage and off coverage skills at corner. He also showed good drops and instincts in zone coverage, which could translate well to some of defensive coordinator John Rudzinski’s schemes. The tackle total from his time at Penn is also a potentially good indicator as the Hoos ask their defensive backs to be physical in both the run game and in coverage.
Check out highlights for Smith here.
