James Smith-Williams

Last updated

James Smith-Williams
James Smith-Williams Jaguars-Commanders (cropped).jpg
Smith-Williams with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 50 – Atlanta Falcons
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-07-30) July 30, 1997 (age 27)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school: Millbrook (Raleigh)
College: NC State (2015–2019)
NFL draft: 2020  / round: 7 / pick: 229
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Tackles:85
Sacks:7
Pass deflections:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Smith-Williams (born July 30, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Contents

College career

A 3-star recruit, Smith-Williams committed to NC State over offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, and James Madison, among others. [1] Smith-Williams posted 36 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, and six sacks in 2018. [2] He was limited to seven games in 2019 and had 20 tackles and a sack. [3] In his career, he played in 29 games and had 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three pass deflections. He graduated with a degree in business supply chain management. [4]

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+5⁄8 in
(1.92 m)		265 lb
(120 kg)		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.60 s1.62 s2.69 s4.52 s7.35 s32.0 in
(0.81 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		28 reps
All values from NFL Combine [5] [6]

Washington Football Team / Commanders

Smith-Williams was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. [2] He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020. [7]

In the Week 10 of the 2021 season, Smith-Williams had his first career start in place of an injured Montez Sweat. The following week, he and defensive tackle Daron Payne sealed the win over the Carolina Panthers after they sacked quarterback Cam Newton on fourth down with less than a minute and a half left in the game. [8] On December 11, 2021, he was placed on COVID-19 reserve list and was forced to sit out the Week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys, but reactivated a week later. [9] [10]

With defensive end Chase Young missing the majority of the 2022 season while he recovered from his ACL tear, Smith-Williams started 14 games in his place and finished with 23 total tackles, one pass defection, and three sacks. [11]

Smith-Williams was elevated to the starting line up before Week 9 of the 2023 season following the Commanders trading both their original starting defensive ends, Young and Sweat. [12]

Atlanta Falcons

On April 10, 2024, Smith-Williams signed with the Atlanta Falcons. [13]

Personal life

He served as an intern for IBM during college, specializing in robotic animation, and has a job offer with them following his football career. [4]

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References

  1. ↑ "James Smith-Williams Recruit Interests".
  2. 1 2 Selby, Zach (April 25, 2020). "Redskins Draft James Smith-Williams With Seventh-Round Pick". Redskins.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Washington Redskins select Smith-Williams in seventh round of NFL Draft". WRAL Sports Fan. April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Friedlander, Brett (April 25, 2020). "IBM Can Wait: Smith-Williams Ready to Take His Shot With Redskins". SI.com. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  5. ↑ "James Smith-Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ "James Smith-Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  7. ↑ Fortier, Sam; Jhabvala, Nicki (July 23, 2020). "No. 2 overall pick Chase Young signs with Washington". Washington Post. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Heinicke, Washington spoil Newton's homecoming 27-21". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ Washington Football Team Public Relations (December 11, 2021). "Washington places Wes Schweitzer on Injured Reserve amid multiple roster moves". WashingtonFootball.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ Washington Football Team Public Relations (December 18, 2021). "Washington activates multiple defensive linemen off Reserve/COVID-19 list". WashingtonFootball.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  11. ↑ Selby, Zach (February 8, 2023). "Commanders position review | Defensive line". Commanders.com. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. ↑ Manning, Bryan (November 4, 2023). "Commanders DEs Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams ready for opportunities after trades". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  13. ↑ Waack, Terrin (April 10, 2024). "Falcons sign defensive end James Smith-Williams". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
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