Former Cincinnati safety Armorion Smith is returning home to Michigan and will play the next portion of his collegiate career with the Michigan State Spartans, he announced on Twitter Friday night.
Smith's decision comes just a little over a week after he originally entered the transfer portal. After redshirting as a true freshman, Smith played in 12 games for the Cincinnati Bearcats this past season, recording 20 tackles and one interception in 2022.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound safety split his time with the Bearcats between special teams and safety where he recorded 85 of his 146 total defensive snaps last year. He also played 34 snaps as a box safety and 26 as a slot cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bringing that versatility with him to East Lansing will be a much-appreciated asset for the Michigan State secondary as the Spartans needed to add depth in the defensive backfield.
Smith will have three years of college eligibility remaining.
Smith was a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of River Rouge (Michigan) and was considered the 26th-best player in the state. He originally committed to the Bearcats in April of 2020 over 15 other scholarship offers, which included Iowa State, Syracuse and Michigan State.
The River Rouge native becomes the 15th player to transfer into the Michigan State program since the end of the 2022 regular season. He joins defensive linemen Jarrett Jackson, Dre Butler and Tunmise Adeleye; tight ends Ademola Faleye, Jaylan Franklin and Tyneil Hooper; running backs Nathan Carter and Jaren Mangham; offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock (JUCO); cornerback Semar Melvin; linebacker Aaron Alexander; kicker Jonathan Kim; punter Michael O’Shaughnessy and long snapper Mason Arnold.
To keep up with all of Michigan State's transfer portal activity, click here.
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