# Chris Smith II > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chris_Smith_II > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chris_Smith_II.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_II > Source revision: 1356658967 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}} {{Distinguish|Chris Smith (2010s defensive back)|Chris Smith (safety, born 1985)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox gridiron football biography | name = Chris Smith II | image = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = [Safety](/source/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)) | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|5|1}} | birth_place = [Atlanta, Georgia](/source/Atlanta%2C_Georgia), U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 10 | weight_lb = 197 | high_school = [Hapeville Charter](/source/Hapeville_Charter_Career_Academy) {{nowrap|([Union City, Georgia](/source/Union_City%2C_Georgia))}} | college = [Georgia](/source/Georgia_Bulldogs_football) (2018–2022) | draftyear = 2023 | draftround = 5 | draftpick = 170 | pastteams = * [Las Vegas Raiders](/source/Las_Vegas_Raiders) ({{NFL Year|2023|2025}}) * [Los Angeles Rams](/source/Los_Angeles_Rams) ({{NFL Year|2025}}) * [New York Jets](/source/New_York_Jets) ({{NFL Year|2025}}) | status = | highlights = * 2× [CFP national champion](/source/College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship) ([2021](/source/2022_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship), [2022](/source/2023_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship)) * [Unanimous All-American](/source/Unanimous_All-American) ([2022](/source/2022_College_Football_All-America_Team)) * First-team [All-SEC](/source/List_of_All-SEC_football_teams) ([2022](/source/2022_All-SEC_football_team)) | statweek = | statseason = 2025 | statlabel1 = [Total tackles](/source/Tackle_(football_move)) | statvalue1 = 10 | statlabel2 = [Sacks](/source/Quarterback_sacks) | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = [Forced fumbles](/source/Fumble) | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = [Fumble recoveries](/source/Fumble) | statvalue4 = | statlabel5 = [Pass deflections](/source/Pass_deflections) | statvalue5 = | statlabel6 = [Interception](/source/Interception)s | statvalue6 = | statlabel7 = [Touchdown](/source/Touchdown)s | statvalue7 = | pfr = SmitCh04 }} '''Christopher Paul Smith II''' (born May 1, 2000) is an American professional [football](/source/American_football) [safety](/source/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Georgia Bulldogs](/source/Georgia_Bulldogs_football), earning [unanimous All-American](/source/List_of_unanimous_All-Americans_in_college_football) honors in 2022 and winning two [CFP national championships](/source/College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship). == Early life == Smith attended [Hapeville Charter Career Academy](/source/Hapeville_Charter_Career_Academy) in [Union City, Georgia](/source/Union_City%2C_Georgia). As a senior, Smith recorded five interceptions and seven pass break-ups with 54 tackles.{{Cite web |last=Surge |first=Brandon |date=May 3, 2017 |title=Christopher Smith on Georgia commitment: 'Why not represent the home team?' |url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-blog/article148303549.html |access-date=August 14, 2022 |website=[Ledger-Enquirer](/source/Ledger-Enquirer)}} As a three-star recruit, Smith chose to play [college football](/source/college_football) at the [University of Georgia](/source/University_of_Georgia), following teammate William Poole. == College career == Smith played sparingly in his first two seasons at Georgia.{{cite web | title=A new mindset helps Christopher Smith prepare for big role on Georgia defense | website=Bulldawg Illustrated | date=2021-08-20 | url=https://bulldawgillustrated.com/a-new-mindset-helps-christopher-smith-prepare-for-big-role-on-georgia-defense/2021/ | access-date=2024-08-08}} Smith would play in all ten games in 2020, and he would increase his production after starter [Richard LeCounte](/source/Richard_LeCounte) got into a motorcycle accident in 2020.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2020-11-01 |title=Georgia star safety LeCounte injured in motorcycle wreck |url=https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2020/11/01/georgia-star-safety-lecounte-injured-in-motorcycle-wreck/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=WJXT |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Towers |first=Chip |date=2020-11-01 |title=Georgia's Richard LeCounte 'lucky to be alive,' stable after motorcycle accident |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-bulldogs/georgias-richard-lecounte-lucky-to-be-alive-after-motorcycle-accident/LGJA64AP7VEEPBLEQ57VAAWUNM/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}} In 2021, Smith would become the full time starter. In week one against [Clemson](/source/Clemson_Tigers_football), Smith intercepted Clemson quarterback [DJ Uiagalelei](/source/DJ_Uiagalelei), and returned it 74 yards for the only touchdown of the game, which resulted in a 10–3 Georgia victory.{{Cite news |last=Towers |first=Chip |date=September 7, 2021 |title=Georgia Bulldogs beaming about seniors like Christopher Smith |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-bulldogs/georgia-bulldogs-beaming-about-seniors-like-christopher-smith/WHUM2XMR5NEFXA7XU5ASF22AHA/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}} Over the course of the season, Smith played in 12 games amassing 34 tackles, and recording three interceptions.{{Cite web |title=Georgia safety Christopher Smith announces return for 2022 season |url=https://www.redandblack.com/sports/georgia-safety-christopher-smith-announces-return-for-2022-season/article_5b31b404-757a-11ec-afec-8f3870888a45.html |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Red and Black |language=en}} In the [2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game](/source/2022_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship), Smith would tally one interception and a career high seven tackles in Georgia's win.{{Cite web |last=Farner |first=Keith |date=2022-01-14 |title=Christopher Smith, Georgia DB, announces plans for 2022 season |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/christopher-smith-georgia-db-announces-plans-for-2022-season/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}} Shortly after the game, Smith announced he would return to Georgia using the extra year of eligibility given by the [NCAA](/source/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association) because of the shortened 2020 season due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).{{cite web | last=Thombs | first=Palmer | title=Christopher Smith announces return to UGA for final year of eligibility in 2022 | website=On3 | date=2022-01-14 | url=https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-bulldogs/news/christopher-smith-announces-return-to-uga-for-2022/ | access-date=2024-07-21}} In his final season at Georgia, Smith recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions, while being named a [unanimous All-American](/source/List_of_unanimous_All-Americans_in_college_football) alongside former teammate [Jalen Carter](/source/Jalen_Carter).{{Cite web |date=2022-12-15 |title=Georgia's Christopher Smith, Jalen Carter are unanimous All-Americans |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/georgias-christopher-smith-jalen-carter-are-unanimous-all-americans/article_fbb5e864-7ce5-11ed-aafb-8b9a9592e571.html |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post |language=en}} During the [2022 SEC Championship Game](/source/2022_SEC_Championship_Game), after [Nazir Stackhouse](/source/Nazir_Stackhouse) blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt, Smith returned the blocked kick 95-yards for a touchdown.{{cite web | last=Dennis | first=Ryne | title=Georgia football safety Christopher Smith scores TD on LSU field goal | website=Online Athens | date=2022-12-03 | url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs-extra/2022/12/03/georgia-football-safety-christopher-smith-scores-td-on-lsu-field-goal/69698591007/ | access-date=2024-07-21}} Georgia would go on to win the game 50–30, before winning their second [National Championship](/source/College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship) in consecutive years, by a score of [65–7](/source/2023_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship). At the season's end, Smith announced that he would enter the [2023 NFL draft](/source/2023_NFL_draft).{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Gabriel |date=2023-02-03 |title=Former Georgia safety Christopher Smith taking skills as ball hawk to NFL |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-bulldogs/former-georgia-safety-christopher-smith-taking-skills-as-ball-hawk-to-nfl/M5MCAMQUQZABNJYJ7SZ2LVJMWA/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} == Professional career == {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 10 5/8 | weight = 192 | dash = 4.62 | ten split = 1.56 | twenty split = 2.62 | shuttle = 4.41 | cone drill = 7.45 | vertical = 33.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 8 | bench = 15 | arm span = 31 1/8 | hand span = 9 5/8 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 3 | note = All values from [NFL Combine](/source/NFL_Combine)/[Pro Day](/source/Pro_Day){{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Christopher Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/christopher-smith-ii/3200534d-4982-9490-6b43-3a3a8d668113 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051492&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Christopher Smith College Football Profile |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}} }} ===Las Vegas Raiders=== Smith was selected by the [Las Vegas Raiders](/source/Las_Vegas_Raiders) in the fifth round with the 170th overall pick in the [2023 NFL draft](/source/2023_NFL_draft).{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Levi |date=April 29, 2023 |title=Raiders trade with Jets up to No. 170, select S Christopher Smith II |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-trade-with-jets-up-to-no-170-select-s-christopher-smith-ii |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Raiders.com}} On November 18, 2025, Smith was waived by the Raiders.{{cite web |title=Raiders waive S Chris Smith |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-waive-safety-chris-smith-release-leroy-watson-practice-squad-2025-transactions |website=raiders.com |access-date=19 November 2025}} ===Los Angeles Rams=== On November 19, 2025, Smith was claimed off waivers by the [Los Angeles Rams](/source/Los_Angeles_Rams).{{cite web |title=Rams' Chris Smith: Claimed by Rams |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/rams-chris-smith-claimed-by-rams/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=20 November 2025}} He was waived on December 23. ===New York Jets=== On December 24, 2025, Smith was claimed off waivers by the [New York Jets](/source/New_York_Jets).{{cite web|title=Jets Claim S Christopher Smith|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-claim-christopher-smith-12-24-2025|author=Weir, Susanna|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=December 24, 2025}} On May 7, 2026, Smith was waived by the Jets.{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Eric |title=Jets Designate DL Paschal Ekeji as Exempt International Player on Roster |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-designate-dl-paschal-ekeji-international-pathway-player-05-07-2026 |website=NewYorkJets.com |access-date=8 May 2026}} ==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |} ===Regular season=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="5"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD !! FF !! Fum !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! [2023](/source/2023_NFL_season) !! [LV](/source/2023_Las_Vegas_Raiders_season) | 12 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [2024](/source/2024_NFL_season) !! [LV](/source/2024_Las_Vegas_Raiders_season) | '''15''' || 0 || '''6''' || '''2''' || '''4''' || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! rowspan=3|[2025](/source/2025_NFL_season) !! [LV](/source/2025_Las_Vegas_Raiders_season) | 9 || 0 || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [LAR](/source/2025_Los_Angeles_Rams_season) | 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [NYJ](/source/2025_New_York_Jets_season) | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitCh04.htm Career] ! 41 !! 0 !! 10 !! 4 !! 6 !! 0.0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0.0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |} == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * [https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/christopher-smith/6467 Georgia Bulldogs bio] {{2021 Georgia Bulldogs football navbox}} {{2022 Georgia Bulldogs football navbox}} {{2022 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}} {{Raiders2023DraftPicks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Chris}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:All-American college football players Category:American football safeties Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players Category:Players of American football from Atlanta Category:Las Vegas Raiders players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:New York Jets players --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chris Smith II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_II) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_II?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.