Four-star Alabama safety Sylvester Smith de-committed from Tennessee on his Instagram Saturday night. Smith committed to Tennessee in April and was the fifth highest ranked recruit in the Vols’ class.
Smith ranks as the No. 222 player and No. 17 safety in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The Munford native ranks as the 16th best player in the state of Alabama.
Smith’s de-commitment comes in the midst of an official visit to home state Auburn. The 5-foot-11 safety considered Auburn before committing to Tennessee in April but the Tigers have since changed coaching staffs, hiring Liberty coach Hugh Freeze.
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Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class is heavy on defensive backs despite Smith’s de-commitment. The Vols have three cornerbacks committed including four-star Jordan Matthews, four-star Rickey Gibson and three-star Christian Conyer.
The Vols now have two safeties committed: three-star Mississippi native John Slaughter and three-star Georgia native Jack Luttrell.
Josh Heupel’s second full recruiting class now has 24 commits and ranks ninth nationally according to the 247sports team rankings.
