Bearden star cornerback Chaston Smith has transferred to McCallie, Bearden coach Josh Jones confirmed with Knox News on Tuesday.
The rising junior will play for a Blue Tornado team that won the Division II-AAA state championship last season.
Smith has offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Penn State and others. When he spoke to Knox News about his Vols offer in September 2023, he said that getting the attention from the local school is a “real big deal.” He is one of three defensive backs from the state with a Vols offer in the 2026 class.
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete had 39 tackles and gave up less than 10 catches for a Bearden team that finished 9-4 and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals last year. He made the Knox News All-PrepXtra second team.
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Smith is not the only highly touted player to transfer from Bearden. Rising junior offensive lineman Brody Smith, who has offers from Tennessee and other Power 5 schools, also transferred but will remain in East Tennessee at Maryville.
Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter, @TJ3rd_.
