Chris Smith (defensive end)
Chris Smith (February 11, 1992 – April 17, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans of the NFL and Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.
Smith with the Bengals in 2017 | |||||||
| No. 50, 92, 94, 98, 42 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 11, 1992 Salisbury, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||
| Died: | April 17, 2023 (aged 31) | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 266 lb (121 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | West Rowan (Mount Ulla, North Carolina) | ||||||
| College: | Arkansas (2010–2013) | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 2014 / Round: 5 / Pick: 159 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Early years edit
Smith attended West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, North Carolina. As a senior, he had 98 tackles and 16.5 sacks.[1]
College career edit
As a true freshman in 2010, Smith played in six games, recording three tackles. As a sophomore in 2011, he played in 13 games with three starts. He had 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks. As a junior in 2012, he started all 12 games, recording 52 tackles and 9.5 sacks. As a senior in 2013, he had 37 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 12 games.[2][3][4][5]
As a senior in 2013, Smith was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection.[6]
Professional career edit
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 266 lb (121 kg) | 34+1⁄8 in (0.87 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 4.71 s | 1.68 s | 2.74 s | 4.46 s | 7.37 s | 37.0 in (0.94 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 28 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8] | ||||||||||||
Jacksonville Jaguars edit
Smith was selected 159th overall in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[9] The pick that was used to select Smith was acquired in a trade that sent Eugene Monroe to the Baltimore Ravens.[10]
Smith was released by the Jaguars on September 13, 2014. Two days later, he was signed to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 20.[9]
Cincinnati Bengals edit
On April 11, 2017, the Jaguars traded Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2018 conditional draft pick.[11] He played in all 16 games in 2017, recording a career-high 26 tackles and three sacks.[12]
Cleveland Browns edit
On March 14, 2018, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.[13][14] He played in 16 games with two starts, recording 21 combined tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.[15][16]
On December 3, 2019, Smith was waived by the Browns. He played in nine games, recording one tackle during the season.[17]
Carolina Panthers edit
On March 5, 2020, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.[18] He was released on July 30, 2020.[19]
Las Vegas Raiders edit
Smith had a tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders on August 23, 2020,[20] and signed with the team the next day.[21] He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[22][23] He was elevated to the active roster on October 10, October 31, November 7, November 21, and November 28 for the team's weeks 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[24][25][26][27][28] He was signed to the active roster on December 12, 2020.[29]
Baltimore Ravens edit
On July 27, 2021, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Ravens.[30] He was released on August 31, 2021, and signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[31][32] He was released on October 19, 2021.[33]
Houston Texans edit
On November 3, 2021, Smith was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad.[34] He was promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2021.[35]
Seattle Sea Dragons edit
Smith signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL on March 9, 2023.[36]
Personal life edit
On September 11, 2019, Petara Cordero, Smith's girlfriend and the mother of one of his children was killed after being struck by a passing car after exiting Smith's car, which had become disabled after hitting a median.[37][38]
Death edit
Smith died on April 17, 2023, at the age of 31. The cause is still unknown.[39]
References edit
- ^ "Former North Carolina high school 'legend,' NFL player, dies at 31". FOX8 WGHP. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Smith, Arkansas Razorbacks, Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Wayne, E. (April 19, 2023). "Former Arkansas star Chris Smith dies at age 31". Razorbacks Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Lyons, Matt (March 10, 2023). "Seattle Sea Dragons Sign Former NFL DE Chris Smith". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Smith - Arkansas Razorbacks - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries". www.nbcsportsedge.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "2013 All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC Digital Network. December 10, 2013. from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Scout Chris Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Gibson, Travis (April 18, 2023). "Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Chris Smith dies suddenly at 31". WJXT. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Crow, Alfie (October 2, 2013). "Jags get 4th, 5th round picks for Monroe". Big Cat Country. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (April 11, 2017). "Jaguars trade pass-rusher Chris Smith to Bengals". NFL.com. from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ "Chris Smith Game by Game Stats and Performance". ESPN. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Gribble, Andrew (March 15, 2018). "Browns add experience, talent all across roster with 7 free agent signings". ClevelandBrowns.com. from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Charean (March 13, 2018). "Report: Browns agree to terms with Chris Smith". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Smith Game by Game Stats and Performance". ESPN. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Browns sign DT Justin Zimmer, make other roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 3, 2019. from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ Henson, Max (March 5, 2020). "Panthers sign DE Chris Smith to one-year deal". Panthers.com. from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ Simmons, Myles (July 30, 2020). "Panthers release kicker Graham Gano". Panthers.com. from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ @AlbertBreer (August 23, 2020). "And here's today's tryout/visit list. Ex-Ohio State QB Cardale Jones and ex-Lions RB Theo Riddick worked out for Vegas" (Tweet). Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Raiders sign veteran DE Chris Smith to one-year deal". Raiders Wire. August 24, 2020. from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ "Raiders announce transactions for initial 53-man roster". Raiders.com. September 5, 2020. from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ^ "Raiders announce practice squad additions". Raiders.com. September 6, 2020. from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (October 10, 2020). "Raiders Elevate DEs Datone Jones and Chris Smith To Active Roster". NFLTradeRumors.co. from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Damien, Levi (October 31, 2020). "Raiders plans for improving stagnant pass rush vs Browns includes Chris Smith but not David Irving". USAToday.com. from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ @Raiders (November 7, 2020). "We have activated DE Chris Smith and OL Jaryd Jones-Smith from the practice squad. We have also activated DT Daniel Ross from the Reserve/Injured – Designated For Return List" (Tweet). Retrieved December 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gutierrez, Paul (November 21, 2020). "Las Vegas Raiders activate 7 off reserve/COVID-19 list". ESPN.com. from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (November 28, 2020). "NFL Transactions: Saturday 11/28". NFLTradeRumors.co. from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Damien, Levi (December 12, 2020). "Raiders send FS Jeff Heath to injured reserve, sign DL Chris Smith from the practice squad". USAToday.com. from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (July 27, 2021). "Ravens Sign Veteran Defensive End Chris Smith". BaltimoreRavens.com. from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (August 31, 2021). "Ravens Make Cuts to 53. Here's the Full List". BaltimoreRavens.com. from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (September 1, 2021). "Ravens Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com. from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (October 19, 2021). "Ravens Sign Former First-Round Guard to Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com. from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-3-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. November 3, 2021. from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (12-23-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. December 23, 2021. from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ^ Jake Trotter (September 11, 2019). "Girlfriend of Browns' Smith killed in accident". ESPN.com. from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- ^ Allen Kim (September 17, 2019). "Browns defensive end Chris Smith played a week after his girlfriend was killed in a car accident". CNN.com. from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ "Former West star dies at 31". Salisbury Post. from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.