“I was able to beat out some really good players": Michigan QB commit Carter Smith on winning Gatorade Player of the Year for Florida State 

Four-star quarterback Carter Smith from Bishop Verot High School in Florida is one of the earliest committed players in Michigan's 2025 class. The signal-caller chose the Wolverines over Miami, Florida State, Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Penn State, among others.

Smith's fabulous performance during his junior season earned him the Gatorade Player of the Year award for Florida. This accolade is given to one standout player from each state and the District of Columbia. It recognizes not only athletic prowess but also excellence in academics and community involvement.

Smith outpaced other elite players, like five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, to grab the title (via On3):

“It was definitely really exciting [to win the award],” Smith said. “I was able to beat out some really good players, so it meant a lot. It’s been a year, so it’s time to leave that in the past and move on and hopefully get another one.”

Past recipients of the Gatorade Player of the Year award include football greats like Emmitt Smith, Willis McGahee and Derrick Henry. Smith joins Earnest Graham as the only other Southwest Florida player to earn this accolade. The signal-caller is also preparing himself to win the award in consecutive years, which nobody before him could do.

However, Smith has also been receiving harsh criticism from critics, but he isn’t bothered by that:

"I’m just going to get out there and throw some touchdowns and run some in, too," Smith said. "I don’t believe in all the social media stuff. The only reason I have it is because we have to build a brand nowadays. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even have it. It’s not my thing. I like doing my deal.”

During his junior season, Smith recorded 2,223 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while also rushing for 715 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also set a new Lee County record for total career touchdowns, surpassing Dallas Crawford’s previous mark with 117 total touchdowns.

Carter Smith prepares for upcoming high school season

With Carter Smith's commitment, Michigan's 2025 class now has 16 members. The Maize and Blue rank No. 14 in the nation and No. 3 among Big Ten schools. Despite being excited about attending Michigan’s annual BBQ at The Big House, he chose to stay back and focus on his high school team’s preparations when the event conflicted with Bishop Verot’s team activities.

Last season, Smith led Bishop Verot to the state quarterfinals, but the school fell short against Booker. The sting of that defeat has only fueled his drive, as the Vikings prepare to open their season against Fort Lauderdale powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (via On3):

“I’m very motivated,” Smith said. “We’ve lost in that round twice now. To get past it would be pretty nice, but we’re going for a state championship. There is a lot of motivation around the team.”

Carter Smith’s legacy at Bishop Verot is expected to be cemented with a state championship in the upcoming season. On3 ranks him as the No. 195 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 15 quarterback in the 2025 class and the No. 29 recruit in Florida. 247 Sports places him as the No. 20 quarterback in the class and the No. 38 recruit in the state.