College football is basically a giant game of musical chairs now. One day you’re the promising speedster in South Bend, and the next, you’re packing your bags for East Lansing. That’s the reality for KK Smith, the wide receiver who just decided his time with Notre Dame had reached its natural conclusion.
Honestly, it isn't a shock.
If you follow the Irish closely, you saw this coming. Smith, a Frisco, Texas native with track-star wheels, officially hit the transfer portal on January 5, 2026. Less than a week later, he committed to Michigan State. He’s looking for a fresh start under Jonathan Smith, and frankly, he probably needs it if he wants to see more than ten targets a year.
The KK Smith Notre Dame Journey: Speed vs. Depth Charts
When KK Smith signed with Notre Dame out of Reedy High School in the class of 2023, the hype was all about his "game-changing speed." He was a three-star recruit who chose the Irish over Texas Tech. But the transition to the college level wasn't exactly a sprint.
He redshirted in 2023, only seeing two snaps in the Sun Bowl against Oregon State. Then came 2024. People expected a breakout, but a clavicle injury during November practice sidelined him just as he was starting to get a few looks. He finished that season with a measly three catches for 38 yards.
Wait.
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Check the 2025 stats, and you’ll see a flicker of what could have been. In 10 games this past season, Smith hauled in 8 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged over 15 yards per catch. That's explosive. He had a career-best day against NC State with 59 yards and a score. He even caught a 34-yard touchdown bomb against Navy.
But here’s the problem: he was stuck.
Why he couldn't crack the rotation
Notre Dame’s wide receiver room got crowded, fast. Smith was consistently playing behind guys like Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison. Even with his elite top-end speed, coaches seemed hesitant to give him a full workload.
Reports from South Bend often mentioned that while Smith could flat-out fly, he struggled with the physical strength needed to win consistently against Power Four cornerbacks. When you're 6-foot-0 and 176 pounds, you have to be either a technical wizard or a physical freak. Smith was fast, but maybe not quite "Big Ten physical" yet.
By the end of the 2025 season, it was clear. Despite those flashes against NC State and Navy, he only played about 107 offensive snaps all year. For a sophomore looking to make an NFL case, that’s just not enough volume.
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The Michigan State Move: A Better Fit?
So, why Michigan State?
It’s a smart play. The Spartans are undergoing a massive roster overhaul, and they desperately need a vertical threat. Smith joins former Michigan receiver Fredrick Moore in a revamped room. He also reunites with former Irish coach Max Bullough, who is now the co-defensive coordinator in East Lansing. Familiarity matters.
At Michigan State, Smith will likely be catching passes from Alessio Milivojevic, who took over the starting job late in 2025 and looked pretty sharp.
The irony? Michigan State travels to South Bend to play Notre Dame on September 19, 2026.
Imagine the narrative if Smith burns the Irish secondary for a 50-yarder in his old stadium. It’s the kind of drama the transfer portal was built for.
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What the Irish are losing
- Elite Speed: Outside of Cam Williams, Smith was arguably the fastest guy in the Notre Dame locker room.
- Deep Threat Potential: He proved he could score from anywhere on the field.
- Eligibility: He still has two years of playing time left.
The Reality Check
Look, some Notre Dame fans on Reddit and message boards are saying this "isn't a big loss." They argue that with the 2026 recruiting class coming in, Smith was just going to be buried even further.
They might be right. But speed is a trait you can't teach. If Michigan State’s strength and conditioning program can put 10 pounds of muscle on him without sacrificing that 4.4-type speed, the Irish might regret letting him walk.
Notre Dame’s offense in 2025 was productive, but it sometimes lacked that "take the top off" verticality. Smith provided that in small doses. Now, Mike Denbrock and Marcus Freeman have to find that explosion elsewhere—likely from freshmen like Logan Saldate or the incoming 2026 recruits.
Next Steps for Following KK Smith
If you're tracking Smith's transition to the Big Ten, keep an eye on Michigan State’s spring practice reports in March and April. The big question will be his weight and his chemistry with Milivojevic.
- Watch for: Weight Gain. If he shows up to fall camp closer to 185 or 190 pounds, expect him to be a starter.
- Mark the Calendar: September 19, 2026. The "Revenge Game" at Notre Dame Stadium.
- Stat Tracker: See if his target share triples. In East Lansing, he won't be the sixth option; he’ll likely be the first or second.
The KK Smith Notre Dame era is officially over. It was a story of "what if" and "if only," but the chapter at Michigan State looks like it’ll have a lot more volume.