Dependable SEC safety who won't wow you with splash plays but brings the kind of steady, assignment-sound approach that keeps defensive coordinators sleeping at night. Smith is a converted quarterback who processes coverage concepts with above-average recognition — he reads QBs' eyes, triggers downhill quickly, and doesn't freelance himself out of position. The lack of elite athleticism and ball production (five career interceptions across four years as a starter in the SEC) caps his ceiling as a probable special teams contributor who develops into a backup safety with spot-start upside. His character and football IQ are well above his measurable profile, which creates a classic late-round dart throw: the floor is a roster-worthy special teamer, and the ceiling is a savvy zone safety who compensates for physical limitations with preparation and positioning.

• +Four-year SEC starter with 45 career starts — durable and experienced against top-level competition
• 🧠Former high school quarterback with strong pre-snap processing and QB-eye reading ability
• 🧱Willing run defender who triggers downhill with decisiveness despite physical limitations
• 👑High-character leader — team captain, co-winner of defensive and special teams MVP awards per coaching staff
• 🃏Versatile deployment history: experience at safety, nickel, and in the box

• −Limited ball production for a four-year starter: five career INTs and 11 pass breakups suggest below-average playmaking ability
• 🪂Projected 40 time in the 4.54-4.57 range is below average for a safety — will struggle to recover when caught out of position at the NFL level
• 💥2024 season disrupted by back injury, limited to 37 tackles and reduced effectiveness
• −Not a dynamic athlete — adequate but not special in any measurable category, which limits his margin for error against NFL-caliber talent