Chris Smith II

Last updated

Chris Smith II
No. 29 – Las Vegas Raiders
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (2000-05-01) May 1, 2000 (age 24)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Hapeville Charter (Union City, Georgia)
College: Georgia (2018–2022)
NFL draft: 2023  / Round: 5 / Pick: 170
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:1
Player stats at PFR

Christopher Paul Smith II (born May 1, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and a two-time CFP national champion.

Contents

Early life

Smith attended Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Union City, Georgia. As a senior, Smith recorded five interceptions and seven pass break-ups with 54 tackles. [1] As a three-star recruit, Smith chose to play college football at the University of Georgia, following teammate William Poole.

College career

Smith played sparingly in his first two seasons at Georgia. [2] Smith would play in all ten games in 2020, and he would increase his production after starter Richard LeCounte got into a motorcycle accident in 2020. [3] [4] In 2021, Smith would become the full time starter. In week one against Clemson, Smith intercepted Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and returned it 74 yards for the only touchdown of the game, which resulted in a 10–3 Georgia victory. [5] Over the course of the season, Smith played in 12 games amassing 34 tackles, and recording three interceptions. [6] In the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Smith would tally one interception and a career high seven tackles in Georgia's win. [7] Shortly after the game, Smith announced he would return to Georgia using the extra year of eligibility given by the NCAA because of the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] In his final season at Georgia, Smith recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions, while being named a unanimous All-American alongside former teammate Jalen Carter. [9] During the 2022 SEC Championship Game, after Nazir Stackhouse blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt, Smith returned the blocked kick 95-yards for a touchdown. [10] Georgia would go on to win the game 50–30, before winning their second National Championship in consecutive years, by a score of 65–7. At the season's end, Smith announced that he would enter the 2023 NFL draft. [11]

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
5 ft 10+5⁄8 in
(1.79 m)		192 lb
(87 kg)		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m)		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.62 s1.56 s2.62 s4.41 s7.45 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		15 reps
Sources: [12] [13]

Smith was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round with the 170th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Berry</span> American football player (born 1988)

James Eric Berry is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, where he was a two-time unanimous All-American and recognized as the best collegiate defensive back in the country. He was then selected by the Kansas City Chiefs fifth overall in the 2010 NFL draft. Berry has been voted to the Pro Bowl five times and has been named to the First-team All-Pro three times. Berry last played professionally in the 2018 NFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrison Smith</span> American football player (born 1989)

Harrison Smith is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft with the 29th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tashaun Gipson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tashaun James Gipson Sr. is an American professional football safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wyoming and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Gipson has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duron Harmon</span> American football player (born 1991)

Duron Harmon is an American football safety who is a free agent. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft after playing college football at Rutgers, Harmon was nicknamed "the Closer" by fans and media for his ability to come up with late, game-sealing interceptions during his Patriots tenure. Harmon has also played for the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Peters</span> American football player (born 1993)

Marcus Peters is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft and has also been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Ramsey</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jalen Lattrel Ramsey is an American professional football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth overall in the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Mills</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jalen Mills is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at LSU, where he received first-team All-American honors, and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of 2016 NFL draft. Mills was a member of the Eagles for five seasons, winning a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII, before joining the New England Patriots for three seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Simmons (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Justin Simmons is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Byard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Kevin Leon Byard III is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Byard was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2017, his second season in the NFL, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and the first-team All-Pro and was the co-leader for most interceptions throughout the season. Additionally, he led the NFL in takeaways with 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daryl Worley</span> American football player (born 1995)

Daryl Worley is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at West Virginia, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Rapp</span> American football player (born 1997)

Taylor Michael Rapp is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnathan Abram</span> American football player (born 1996)

Johnathan Jauquez Abram is an American professional football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and Georgia and went to high school at East Marion High School where he played high school football for the East Marion Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julian Love</span> American football player (born 1998)

Julian Love is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier McKinney</span> American football player (born 1999)

Xavier Avis McKinney is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Winfield Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Antoine Duane Winfield Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Golphers, earning unanimous All-American honors. Winfield was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Richard Lee LeCounte III is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nolan Smith (American football)</span> American football player (born 2001)

Nolan Sental Smith Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, where he was a two-time CFP national champion before being selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Carter</span> American football player (born 2001)

Jalen Da'Quan Carter is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and a two-time CFP national champion before being selected by the Eagles ninth overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javon Bullard</span> American football player (born 2002)

Javon Mascellus Bullard is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, winning two national championships and was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tykee Smith</span> American football player (born 2001)

Tykee Smith is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at West Virginia and Georgia.

References

  1. ↑ Surge, Brandon (May 3, 2017). "Christopher Smith on Georgia commitment: 'Why not represent the home team?'". Ledger-Enquirer . Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ "A new mindset helps Christopher Smith prepare for big role on Georgia defense". Bulldawg Illustrated. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Georgia star safety LeCounte injured in motorcycle wreck". WJXT. Associated Press. November 1, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ Towers, Chip (November 1, 2020). "Georgia's Richard LeCounte 'lucky to be alive,' stable after motorcycle accident". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ Towers, Chip (September 7, 2021). "Georgia Bulldogs beaming about seniors like Christopher Smith". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Georgia safety Christopher Smith announces return for 2022 season". The Red and Black. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ Farner, Keith (January 14, 2022). "Christopher Smith, Georgia DB, announces plans for 2022 season". Saturday Down South. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  8. ↑ Thombs, Palmer (January 14, 2022). "Christopher Smith announces return to UGA for final year of eligibility in 2022". On3. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Georgia's Christopher Smith, Jalen Carter are unanimous All-Americans". Gwinnett Daily Post. December 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  10. ↑ Dennis, Ryne (December 3, 2022). "Georgia football safety Christopher Smith scores TD on LSU field goal". Online Athens. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ Burns, Gabriel (February 3, 2023). "Former Georgia safety Christopher Smith taking skills as ball hawk to NFL". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Christopher Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Christopher Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ Edwards, Levi (April 29, 2023). "Raiders trade with Jets up to No. 170, select S Christopher Smith II". Raiders.com. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.