Tennessee had one of their linebackers enter the portal earlier in the process and that player has now announced where he is going next. Jalen Smith announced on Thursday that he has committed to Mississippi State and will play for the Bulldogs next season. Smith was part of the 2023 recruiting class for Tennessee and has spent the last two seasons with the Volunteers.
Smith served as a reserve the last two seasons as he appeared in five games as a true freshman and then appeared in a multitude of games this past season. Over his two-year career at Tennessee, he had 38 total tackles and two tackles for loss.
Tennessee linebacker Jalen Smith has made the shocking decision to leave the Volunteers and join the Mississippi State Bulldogs. This move comes as a surprise to many, given Smith’s impressive performance for the Vols in the 2024 season ¹.
Smith, a redshirt freshman, played a significant role in Tennessee’s defense, appearing in all 12 games and recording 34 tackles and four tackles for loss ². His departure will undoubtedly leave a gap in the Vols’ linebackers corps.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker was a four-star prospect from Georgia’s Grayson High School when he signed with Tennessee in 2023 ³. He chose the Vols over several top programs, including Oregon, Texas, LSU, and Miami.
Smith’s decision to enter the transfer portal was first reported in November, and he has now committed to Mississippi State ⁴. The Bulldogs have been actively recruiting in the transfer portal, and Smith’s addition will undoubtedly boost their defense.
Mississippi State’s coaching staff, led by Jeff Lebby, has been working hard to rebuild the team’s defense, and Smith’s experience and skills will be valuable assets ¹. The Bulldogs are expected to add several more players through the transfer portal before the window closes on December 28.
Smith’s transfer to Mississippi State sets up an interesting matchup between the Bulldogs and the Vols in 2025. The two teams are scheduled to face each other in Starkville, and Smith’s familiarity with the Vols’ system could give the Bulldogs an edge ².
Overall, Jalen Smith’s transfer to Mississippi State is a significant move that will impact both the Bulldogs and the Vols in the 2025 season.
