Despite the playoffs inching closer, all eyes are on the transfer portals. Colorado Buffaloes, eager to continue its successful run, is active in the portal, trying to get hold of future stars. At the same time, Deion Sanders’ team is also looking to keep its commits locked. However. one program seems unlucky in keeping its commitments locked. That’s USC Trojans and Lincoln Riley. Look at their five-star commit Julian Lewis, who is giving all hints to flip and join the Deion Sanders boys. Now one more USC commit may be walking on Lewis’ path.

On the November 13th episode of the On3 recruits show, analysts Josh Newberg and Steve Wiltfong projected that four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith, who committed to the USC Trojans in August, is likely to flip to the Buffs. Even after committing to USC in August, Carde kept flirting with Prime Time’s program.

“Well, senior season in the Lone Star State, but they’re looking for more flips. Julian Lewis would certainly be the grand Roomba of it all. Well, let’s talk about Carde Smith because he could be the next Jordan Seaton-type flip. Carde Smith committed to USC. He goes 6-6 and a half, 290 pounds. He is a potential first-year player if he were to flip his commitment to Colorado. So Steve, what’s the latest on Carde Smith, USC, offensive tackle commitment?” Josh Newberg asked Steve Wiltfong.

Carde Smith was also there watching the Buffs’ 38-31 splendid win over the Baylor Bears on September 21. Not only that, he was also there to witness Colorado’s 34-23 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats on October 26. Carde Smith’s one-after-other visits to the buffs say it all. Analysts Steve and Josh are also pointing at the same thing.

“Well, anyone Colorado recruits from the high school ranks they view as the first-year player. Carde Smith is someone that they would love to pair with Jordan Seaton for the next couple of years. I like the way wages are trending. Logged in on three rpm in favor of Colorado on Monday morning. Chad Simmons, my colleague, and we think Colorado, the team to beat Carde Smith, spent the two games this fall, including that win over Cincinnati, there with Julian Lewis and company.”

With that, One3 recruiting’s predicting machine says the Buffs hold a 64% chance to take away Carde Smith from under Lincoln Riley’s nose. Currently, the Buffs are holding a 7-2 record and that’s way better than USC’s tipsy-turvy season. Lincoln Riley’s team is struggling with a poor 4-5 record this season, and fans are even trolling that the Trojans’ season is officially over now without any playoff hopes. Besides that, let’s learn about Smith’s mother’s role in his commitment process.

What might Lincoln Riley lose if Carde Smith de-commits?

Carde Smith is a family guy, and his mother makes major decisions in his life. “Staying in contact with my mom. My mom plays a big role in the commitment; if she’s straight, I’m straight. If she feels like that’s a place, I could be too. We’re gonna go with it; see what it’s talking about,” Crade Smith said about his commitment process.

Well, Carde’s commitment journey started way before he committed to the Trojans. In the beginning, he committed to Auburn, but soon after that, he joined USC for the Trojans’ 2025 class. Although Lincoln Riley still holds 23 commitments from strong players, his 2025 class is underwater after receiving 6 decommitments from players.

Now if Julian Lewis and Carde Smith also leave their sides, Riley might face a more difficult situation. Losing Smith is going to be an enormous loss to Riley, as he is ranked no. 266 overall player in the 2025 class and no. 21 offensive tackle in the country.