Former Ole Miss starter Keidron Smith will play final college season at UK
Keidron Smith, a multi-year starter for Ole Miss, will finish his college football career at the University of Kentucky.
Smith announced his decision on his social media channels Friday. He will have one year of eligibility at UK under the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver.
Smith started games in all four years at Ole Miss since enrolling in 2018. A three-star recruit out of high school, he was fifth on the team last season with 54 tackles and tied for second with two interceptions. He also broke up three passes and forced a fumble.
The addition of Smith brings playing experience to a UK secondary mostly lacking in it. Aside from super senior Ty Ajian, who has moved to strong safety, and true junior Carrington Valentine at cornerback, UK has no other returning starters in its defensive backfield. Valentine is the only corner with significant playing experience; Andru Phillips, a member of the same 2020 signing class, was expected to be a major part of UK’s look there last season but his development was stunted due to an off-the-field legal matter that wasn’t resolved until midway through the season.
Smith played in every game last season for Ole Miss, starting seven. He made 10 starts as a junior, eight as a sophomore and four as a freshman. In September he was named the 2021 recipient of the Rebels’ Chucky Mullins Award, which is given annually to the team member who embodies the “courage, leadership, perseverance and determination” of Mullins, who was paralyzed during a 1989 game and died in 1991.
“He is a veteran player who started and saw a lot of snaps at corner and safety in the Southeastern Conference,” UK Coach Mark Stoops said in a news release by the school. “He’s versatile, he’s intelligent and he’s mature. I like his competitive nature and he’s a great addition to our defense.”
UK since spring practice ended has lost one defensive back, Rickey Hyatt Jr., to the transfer portal. Hyatt, a redshirt sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, played in two games last season.
It’s the second straight season that an Ole Miss player has found their way to Kentucky to fill a position of need; the Wildcats last season added linebacker Jacquez Jones, who will be back as a super senior for the 2022 season. Jones during spring camp was asked about the experience of going through the transfer portal, and offered guidance to anyone — like perhaps his former Ole Miss teammate — who might be listening.
“I think every transfer, if you want to be successful, you need to come to Kentucky,” Jones said. “That’s my advice. They prepare you for the next level, not only as a football player but as a man. … Everything around Kentucky is great to be around.”
This story was originally published April 22, 2022 at 3:30 PM.
