2025 UConn Football Commit - Ben Smiley III (Norfolk, Virginia)

[huskymedic]

Ben Smiley III is a 6-4 275lb DL from Norfolk Virginia attending UVA (Transfer Portal w/ one year of eligibility remaining). Smiley was on campus this week.

UVA Profile: Ben Smiley III

 

[DoctorWho85]

Welcome to the pound dawg.

That's some size on the DL.

 

[UConnDan97]

Welcome to the Dog Pound, Ben!!!

 

[Coult]

With all of these portal additions starting to have a legitimately tough time tempering my expectations for next year. I am an optimistic fan by nature and am really trying to not set myself up for disappointment, but man I am really starting to expect big things next year. I love the basketball teams, but cannot stop spending time on this board more than anything despite the fact they will not play a game for 8 months. Can't wait to attend some games at the Rent (especially Duke), at BC if that becomes official, and hopefully a bowl game. Do not be scared of UConn being great, UConn is great.

 

[Mora4Prez]

With good QB play I think top 25 is absolutely possible.

 

[kibblesnbits]

How does he still have eligibility? He red-shirted in 2019, 2020 doesn't count, but he played essentially full seasons in 2021-2024.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconnric]

How does he still have eligibility? He red-shirted in 2019, 2020 doesn't count, but he played essentially full seasons in 2021-2024.

Due to the shooting tragedy at UVA in the 2022 season the players were granted an extra year of eligibility

 

[gioff2323]

love this signing

 

[Coult]

With good QB play I think top 25 is absolutely possible.

Likely will hinge on the second game of the season at Syracuse. If UConn beats them, they should have the talent/ability to win the next 5 (though at Buffalo could be difficult) putting them at 7-0 before the bye weeks/games against presumed AFA and BC. At that point I would think the team would be receiving votes at the very least, more than likely ranked. A lot to put on a game this many months out and it is definitely a fools errand projecting records without even a finalized schedule, but if you can't dream now when can you.

 

[Purple Stein]

I'll sign up for 6'4, 275 on the defensive line!

 

[gioff2323]

I love taking flyers on kids highly recruited out of hs who played but just couldn’t get results he/they expected.

 

[Stinger92860]

This will be a slight upgrade at this position!!

 

[uchusky32]

Welcome to the Pound, Ben!

 

[Scrutineer]

How does he still have eligibility? He red-shirted in 2019, 2020 doesn't count, but he played essentially full seasons in 2021-2024.

He may be related to Eric Dixon.......

Sorry, didn't see the post about the shooting there.

 

[uconnfan68]

This will be a slight upgrade at this position!!

Big shoes to fill.

 

[AllHusky]

That is 4 Portal DL signed. Feels pretty good. So Choute Hoffman Kelly best roster returnees? Any of the redshirt Fr expected to contribute?