Biography
Position: Linebacker Weight/Height: 245 lbs, 6'2" Birthday: 6/14/95 Alma Mater: Notre Dame Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
A consensus All-American and Butkus Award winner as the best collegiate defensive player after his junior season in which he started all 13 games and led the team in total tackles, pass breakups, fumble recoveries and ranked third in tackles for loss, racking up 114 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six quarter- back hurries, five passes defended, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He was named team captain for the 2015 season. Smith finished the year as a Butkus Award finalist and Bednarik Award semifinalist as a sophomore after starting all 13 games and leading the Irish in total tackles (112), tackles for loss (nine), tied for second with 3.5 sacks, forced a fumble, recorded two breakups and registered seven pressures. Started all 13 games at outside linebacker as a freshman and ranked third on the squad with 67 total tackles, second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and added one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, one quarterback hurry and three pass breakups.
During his high school years, Smith helped Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., to four straight Indiana Class 2A state titles as a linebacker and running back as a three-time first-team all-state selection. He was the winner of the 2012 Butkus Award presented by Pro Football Weekly to the top high school linebacker in the country and a first-team linebacker on the Parade prep All-America squad. Finished his senior season with 1,265 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 176 attempts to go with 10 receptions for 66 yards and two more touchdowns - adding 72 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven pass deflections on defense. Smith rushed 168 times for 1,319 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior in 2011 to go with 17 catches for 191 yards and four touchdowns while making 51 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries on defense.
