Smith Vilbert, the Penn State defensive end, has successfully transferred to the University of North Carolina for his final year of college eligibility.
Bill Belichick Shores Up Tar Heels Pass Rush
At 6-foot-6 and 292 pounds, Vilbert’s college career began in 2019 with a redshirt as a freshman. Per the NCAA’s blanket rule, he redshirted again in the 2020 COVID season.
He also had a medical redshirt opportunity in 2023 but had seasons with the Nittany Lions in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Vilbert appeared in 16 contests in 2024 as a backup, recording 12 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also lined up for 339 snaps.
He helped the Nittany Lions’ defense record a tackle for loss against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the National Semifinal.
In 2021, he had three sacks and four tackles in Penn State’s Bowl against Arkansas.
In a Rivals Transfer Portal piece, Jason Jordan posted a share from Vilbert that said, “Last ride, best ride.” Vilbert posted via social media, ” The Haitian Sensation is coming.”
When he signed with Penn State in 2019, he was listed as a three-star prospect in the Rivals 100.
Sam Vilbert Transfer Rating
Vilbert received a four-star rating from 247 Sports.
This rating followed their three-star rating for Vilbert after high school, in which he won State Championships in 2016 and 2018 at St. Joseph’s Regional High.
247 ranked him the No. 618 prospect and 38th strong-side defensive, in addition to being the No. 14 recruit in New Jersey.
Belichick is getting a head start on the transfer season, which opens for ten days on April 16. In recruiting Vilbert, Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick is set on rebuilding a defense that lost six contributors to graduation, including edge rusher Kaimon Rucker.
The Sporting News’ Shane Shoemaker shared some alarming statistics in his article about Vilbert concerning the Tar Heels defense.
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They ranked 89th in scoring defense last season, allowing 28.1 points per game. They also finished outside the top 75 in total defense, surrendering an average of 375.8 yards per game.
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