Brandon Smith (linebacker)

Last updated

Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith Penn State.jpg
Smith with the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2021
Personal information
Born: (2001-04-12) April 12, 2001 (age 24)
Henrico, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school: Louisa County (Louisa, Virginia)
College: Penn State (2019–2021)
Position: Linebacker
NFL draft: 2022: 4th round, 120th pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles:9
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brandon Nathaniel Smith (born April 12, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Smith attended Louisa County High School in Louisa, Virginia. [1] As a senior in 2018, he was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Virginia. [2] He appeared in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game. [3] Smith committed to Penn State University to play college football. [4]

College career

As a true freshman at Penn State in 2019, Smith appeared in 13 games and had 13 tackles. [5] As a sophomore in 2020, he started all nine games, recording 37 tackles, two sacks and one interception. [6] Smith returned as a starter his junior season in 2021. [7] [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in
(1.92 m)		250 lb
(113 kg)		34+5⁄8 in
(0.88 m)		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		4.52 s1.58 s2.62 s4.08 s6.94 s37.5 in
(0.95 m)		10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		20 reps
Sources: [9] [10]

Carolina Panthers

Smith was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. [11] He was waived on August 29, 2023. [12]

Philadelphia Eagles

On October 12, 2023, Smith was signed to the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles. [13] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2024. [14]

Smith was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. [15] [16] He was released on September 10. [17]

New York Jets

On September 24, 2024, Smith was signed to the New York Jets practice squad. [18] He was released on October 2. [19]

Las Vegas Raiders

Smith was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on December 4, 2024. [20] He signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 6, 2025. [21] On May 12, Smith was waived by the Raiders. [22]

References

  1. ↑ Snyder, Audrey (December 17, 2018). "How a small Virginia town molded Brandon Smith into the future of Linebacker U". The Athletic. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ Harvey, John (December 6, 2018). "Louisa County linebacker Brandon Smith named Gatorade state football player of the year". The Daily Progress. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  3. ↑ Hall, Brendan C. (November 7, 2018). "Chosen 25 LB Brandon Smith gets UA All-American jersey, cherishes chats with 'Linebacker U' legend". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ Flounders, Bob (December 19, 2018). "Penn State 5-star signee Brandon Smith was a one-of-a-kind player at Louisa County who planned to make a similar impact in State College". PennLive.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ Harvey, John (July 14, 2020). "Former Louisa star Brandon Smith vies for starting linebacker spot at Penn State in unusual times". The Daily Progress. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ Means, Stephen (July 2, 2021). "Can Penn State's Brandon Smith be the second coming of Micah Parsons as a former 5-star LB? Buckeyes' best opponents, No. 19". cleveland.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Gallen, Daniel (September 22, 2021). "Penn State's Brandon Smith focuses on improvement despite impressive start to season". PennLive.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  8. ↑ Flounders, Bob (August 8, 2021). "Penn State needs Brandon Smith's 'A' game in 2021, and the linebacker looks ready to deliver it". PennLive.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Brandon Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2022 Draft Scout Brandon Smith, Penn State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  11. ↑ Joyce, Ethan (April 30, 2022). "Panthers select linebacker Brandon Smith in fourth round of NFL Draft". Panthers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2023). "Panthers make moves en route to 53-man roster limit". Panthers.com.
  13. ↑ "Eagles sign Braden Mann to the active roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. October 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Eagles sign 20 players to Reserve/Futures deals". Eagles Wire. USA Today. January 18, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Get your first look at the Eagles' initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. August 27, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Eagles practice squad: Team announces 14 signings". Bleeding Green Nation. SB Nation. August 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Roster Moves: Eagles WR Danny Gray, DB A.J. Woods to practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ Greenberg, Ethan (September 24, 2024). "Jets Sign S Jalen Mills, LB Brandon Smith to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  19. ↑ "Brandon Smith Injury: Let go by Jets". Rotowire. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  20. ↑ Damien, Levi (December 4, 2024). "Raiders add former mid-round linebacker". Raiders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Raiders sign 12 players to Reserve/Future contracts". Raiders.com. January 6, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Raiders sign 6 players, waive/release 6 players". Raiders.com. May 12, 2025.
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