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Penn Defensive Back Kendren Smith Transfers to Virginia

UVA reinforced its secondary by adding Penn graduate transfer Kendren Smith, an All-Ivy League selection in each of the last two seasons

Matt Newton

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Virginia made a move to reinforce its secondary as Penn graduate transfer defensive back Kendren Smith, a two-time All-Ivy League selection, announced his commitment to UVA on Thursday afternoon. 

A 6'1" senior from Charlotte, North Carolina, Smith entered the portal with one year of eligibility remaining after an accomplished career with the Quakers. Smith appeared in 33 total games over the last four years, including all 10 games in each of the last two seasons. 

Establishing himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league, Smith was a First-Team All-Ivy League selection in 2022 and followed that up with Second-Team All-Ivy League honors this season. In 2023, Smith tallied 58 total tackles (2nd on the team), including 42 solo stops (1st on the team and 5th in the Ivy League), one sack, two tackles for loss, and eight pass breakups (1st on the team and 2nd in the Ivy League). For his career, Smith has 138 tackles, 105 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, 24 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. 

Smith had offers from Ohio, Florida Atlantic, Delaware, North Texas, Tulsa, Georgia Southern, and others in the transfer portal. He took an unofficial visit to UVA in late November and then visited officially earlier this week. Smith announced his decision to transfer to Virginia for his final year of eligibility on Thursday afternoon. 

This is a solid pickup for a Virginia team that needed help in the secondary after Lex Long, Dave Herard, William Simpkins, and Devin Clark all entered the transfer portal this offseason. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Cavaliers look to bring in another defensive back during the transfer window. 

Kendren Smith is the fourth transfer commitment Virginia has picked up this offseason, joining Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Tyree, Akron linebacker Corey Thomas Jr., and Harvard tight end Tyler Neville. 

Keep track of all of Virginia's activity in the college football transfer portal here: Virginia Football Transfer Portal Updates

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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