Virginia, Virginia Tech & Syracuse miss out on star Harvard transfer DT Chris Smith

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by Brian Geisinger Thursday January 20, 2022

Virginia, Virginia Tech & Syracuse miss out on star Harvard transfer DT Chris Smith

University of Virginia , president, James Ryan, left, presents a football jersey to new head football coach coach, Tony Elliott, center, along with athletic director Carla Williams, during an introductory press conference at the school Monday Dec 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. Elliott will take over the program after the upcoming bowl game. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

With new coaching staffs, Virginia and Virginia Tech continue to retool rosters. The same can be said with Dino Babers and Syracuse. The Orange went through their fair share of staffing changes this offseason, too.

However, all three programs stuck out on Harvard graduate transfer Chris Smith, a first team All-Ivy League defensive tackle in 2021. Instead, Smith will head to the Big Ten. The veteran tackle is a Minnesota commit.

I can confirm the #Gophers have received a commitment from Harvard graduate transfer defensive tackle Chris Smith over Virginia, Syracuse and Virginia Tech among others.

Smith was first-team all-Ivy League this past season. One year of eligibility left.https://t.co/BmGx5Dpagr pic.twitter.com/HWafH0IVjk

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) January 19, 2022

Smith is the kind of player who would be a floor-raiser for any program’s defensive line/front-seven. During the 2021 season — after not playing in 2020 — Smith recorded three sacks, while on the field for 350 snaps.