Ex-LSU cornerback Saivion Smith to sign with Alabama

Saivion Smith was a 5 star signee for the LSU Tigers in the 2016 class, ranked as the top cornerback in the nation out of IMG Academy (St. Petersburg, Florida).

As a junior college top recruit this week, Smith decided on Alabama, giving the Tide 14 overall pledges for the 2018 class. He will sign with them on December 20 and enroll in spring.

The 6-foot-1, 175 pounder enrolled early at LSU during the spring of ’16 for a headstart on the upcoming season. It never really panned out. Smith saw limited action during the fall, appearing in 10 contests but contributing little stat wise.

Smith decided to seek higher ground in May ’17 and headed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, the same school that sent Isiah Buggs, a former Ruston High defensive end, to Alabama.

During the 2017 campaign, Smith recorded 31 tackles, six pass break ups and a pair of interceptions including a pick six. He was ranked the top cover corner among JUCO prospects, attracting offers from Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and USF.

Nick Saban has to be elated over Smith’s decision. Alabama loses both of their starting cornerbacks after the playoffs. The Tide also have a pair of top cornerback commitments for the upcoming class but Smith provides a more experienced option.

Smith is not the first former LSU cornerback to make his way to Tuscaloosa. You may recall 2008 signee Phelon Jones out of Mobile, Alabama spent one season with the Tigers before sitting out and transferring to the Crimson Tide. Jones finished his college career there in 2010-’11.