The Syracuse football team picked up a major transfer portal addition over the offseason in the form of former 4-star tight end Michael Smith. He was expected to play an immediate role in the offense next year.
Now, his future with the program is unclear. There is a dispute surrounding a newly signed NIL contract. He reportedly seeks a release to return to his old school. The Orange are refusing.
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Who is Michael Smith?
The Savannah, Georgia product was considered a Top 100 player in his recruiting class before enrolling at South Carolina in 2024.
Smith chose the Gamecocks over offers from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, and Florida. He made an instant impact in the passing game.
As a freshman, he made seven starts while racking up 10 catches for 106 yards and a score. His role was expected to grow as a sophomore. It didn’t happen.
Smith’s playing time dipped. He was buried on the depth chart behind more veteran teammates. In October, he left the team to enter the transfer portal.
In doing so, he preserved his redshirt. Smith appeared in just four games. He saved a season of eligibility with his decision.
That leaves three more years to continue his college football career. It was anticipated that his journey would next take place at Syracuse. That’s now in doubt.
Will the tight end return to South Carolina?
Tony Morrell of 247 Sports broke the initial speculation on a message board this week. He says that Michael Smith is interested in returning to the Gamecocks following a change at offensive coordinator.
Unfortunately, he is legally tied to the Orange. He reportedly signed his NIL paperwork with Syracuse after announcing he transfer. The program is not letting him out of that agreement.
JC Shurburtt broke the situation down further in a recent podcast segment.
“The story is this. He signed paperwork (with Syracuse), I guess, but then just was going to come back to South Carolina. There is no National Letter of Intent anymore. It’s a contract with the school for rev-share and all that, and it is binding contractually.
“Syracuse was not going to let him out of it. I don’t know why you’d do that… He walked off the team midyear. He was hurt, and frustrated. I don’t know how good of a job you’re doing at evaluation if someone… is just going to leave you high and dry, and now you’re going to force him to come play. What’s the hope there?”
Michael Smith does not want to play at Syracuse according to these most recent reports. The Orange refuse to let him back out of the deal.
It’s a situation recently experience at Washington with quarterback Demond Williams. The quarterback hit the portal after signing his paperwork to play for the Huskies.
In that case, Williams wound up honoring his commitment with a return to Washington. It will be interesting to see what happens for Smith.
The post Syracuse Won’t Release Football Transfer From NIL Contract Blocking Return To South Carolina appeared first on BroBible.
Syracuse Won’t Release Football Transfer From NIL Contract Blocking Return To South Carolina
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