ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Arizona State lands cornerback transfer Derrick Smith from Illinois

Dec 7, 2021, 3:34 PM

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 14:  Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Derrick Smith (2) prior to t...

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Derrick Smith (2) prior to the college football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 14, 2020 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Arizona State has landed another transfer in Derrick Smith, a cornerback who played two years at Miami before transferring to Illinois in 2019 for two seasons.

Smith appeared in seven games for Illinois in 2021 primarily on special teams, totaling 17 tackles for the Illini. He appeared in all eight games in 2020, making four starts and recording 22 tackles.

In his two seasons at Miami, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound corner had 24 tackles in 25 games for the Hurricanes. He will have one year of eligibility for the Sun Devils.

ASU also landed Mississippi State linebacker transfer Rodney Groce Jr. on Monday. He played in just four games as a second-year freshman and did not record a tackle.

Groce was originally committed to Nebraska before flipping his decision to the Bulldogs. Out of high school, he had offers from some of college football’s biggest names such as Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU to just name a few.

The linebacker will still have four years of eligibility remaining, according to SunDevilSource.com.

Arizona State Football

The NCAA logo is seen on the game ball during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tourname...

Associated Press

Paying college athletes appears closer than ever: How could it work, what stands in way?

A settlement being discussed in an antitrust lawsuit could cost billions and pave the way for a compensation model for college athletes.

3 hours ago

Mug shot of former Arizona State pass rusher and seven-time NFL Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs....

Arizona Sports

Former Arizona State star Terrell Suggs to stand trial on intimidation, disorderly conduct charges

Former Arizona State star Terrell Suggs was indicted by a grand jury on two charges and will face a trial on Sept. 19.

8 hours ago

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl logo...

Arizona Sports

Snoop Dogg’s ‘Gin & Juice’ brand takes over sponsorship of Arizona Bowl

The Arizona Bowl was searching for a sponsor replacement. It's the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.

12 hours ago

Quarterback Jaden Rashada #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the NCAAF game at Mountain Amer...

Damon Allred

Where do incoming, outgoing ASU, Arizona football transfers rank?

The transfer portal has never been more active, so where does ESPN rank past and future ASU and Arizona players?

1 day ago

Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Pasad...

Damon Allred

Former Brophy DL Zac Swanson transfers from Texas to Arizona State

Former Brophy defensive lineman Zac Swanson is transferring from Texas to Arizona State, he announced on Thursday.

4 days ago

Elijah Badger runs after the catch...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Former ASU Sun Devil Elijhah Badger planning to visit Arizona and Florida

Former Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Elijhah Badger is planning to visit Arizona and Florida, according to multiple reports.

4 days ago

Arizona State lands cornerback transfer Derrick Smith from Illinois