USC Trojans release Carde Smith, predicted trade to Colorado Buffaloes Deion Sanders

It’s been a week full of ups and downs on the USC Trojans recruiting front. The Trojans gained the commitment of five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet and lost the commitment of five-star quarterback Julian Lewis.

Now the Trojans are reeling from the loss of four-star offensive lineman Carde Smith, who has announced his retirement from USC to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

For those who have been following the program, it should come as no surprise. Smith has flirted with a number of different programs recently, including the Colorado Buffaloes. However, that doesn’t change the fact that losing Smith is a big deal. He is a composite four-star recruit and the highest-rated offensive tackle available in the recruiting class, according to On3.

After Smith decommitted from USC, Colorado immediately became the favorite to land the Alabama product. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine projects the Buffaloes to be the favorites to sign Smith at 64.6 percent. Similarly, Tom Loy of 247Sports gave a crystal ball prediction with a probability of 6 for Colorado to land the four-star prospect.

Carroll’s father spoke with On3 about why the elite recruit likes the Buffaloes and coach Deion Sanders.

“My kid is blown away by the scenery and everything,” Carroll said. “The attention, the success of other (offensive linemen) playing early.”

Cooper Petagna of 247Sports wrote that Smith has the potential to develop into a starter at a major program.

“Estimated at 6’2″ and 220 pounds, appears to have growth potential to add another 20 pounds to his body weight at the college level. Shows good athleticism in the right tackle position where he shows the ability to win consistently.” The tackle appears to show some quickness off the line of attack while also displaying some natural power and playmaking ability to consistently drive defenders off the ball “At this point in his career … size and above-average athleticism suggest he can eventually develop into a multi-year starter at the right tackle position at a Power Four program,” Petagna said.

Smith spoke to WeAreSC earlier this year about what’s important in his recruitment.

“I stay in touch with my mom,” Smith said. “My mother plays a big role in the commitment. If she’s straight, I’m straight. If she feels like this is a place I could be too, we’ll join in and see what it’s all about.”

With the loss of Smith as a commit, USC’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked 13th in the country and third in the Big Ten.