Utah’s top defensive back is transferring to Michigan

The top defensive back on Kyle Whittingham’s Utah team in 2025 is heading to Michigan.

Cornerback Smith Snowden, a two-year starter who earned second-team all-Big 12 honors last season, has committed to the Wolverines in 2026, he announced on Tuesday.

Listed at 5 foot 10 and 185 pounds, Snowden made 23 starts and 35 appearances over the last three years in Salt Lake City. He started all 12 regular-season games for Utah in 2025, leading the cornerbacks with 37 tackles (two for a loss) and the team with 11 passes defended.

Snowden finished last year with nine pass breakups and two interceptions, one each against Cincinnati and Kansas.

He also saw some playing time on offense, rushing eight times for 40 yards and a touchdown and catching 13 passes for 57 yards.

The Lehi, Utah, native made 11 starts at nickel in 2024, totaling 48 tackles (four for a loss), eight pass breakups and two interceptions. Snowden led the team with nine third-down stops that year.

Snowden saw immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2023, appearing in 11 games on defense and special teams. He added kick-return duties to his plate in 2024 and 2025.

A former four-star recruit, Snowden was a three-time first-team all-state selection at Skyridge High School, where he finished with 16 career interceptions and helped lead the school to a state title in 2022.

Snowden joins a Michigan secondary that could use the help. The Wolverines are set to return starting cornerbacks Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry, but lost starting nickel TJ Metcalf and starting safety Brandyn Hillman to the transfer portal.

On Monday, Michigan added veteran Memphis safety Chris Bracy.

Snowden is the fourth Utah player planning a transfer to Michigan since Kyle Whittingham was named the schol’s head coach on Dec. 26, joining defensive end John Henry Daley, defensive tackle Jonah Lea’ea and receiver JJ Buchanan.