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Preston Smith (linebacker)

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Preston Smith
refer to caption
Smith with the Redskins in 2018
No. 91 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1992-11-17) November 17, 1992 (age 32)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:Mississippi State (2011–2014)
NFL draft:2015 / round: 2 / pick: 38
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2024
Total tackles:438
Sacks:69.5
Forced fumbles:10
Fumble recoveries:7
Pass deflections:27
Interceptions:5
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Preston Demarquis Smith[1] (born November 17, 1992) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Early life

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Smith attended Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.[1] He was rated as a two-star recruit by 247sports.com,[2] and Scout.com,[3] and a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.[4] He chose to play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs over offers from Kentucky, Syracuse, and West Virginia, among others.[4]

College career

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Smith appeared in 8 games as a true freshman in 2011 season, recording a forced fumble in a 31–3 win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.[1] In 2012, Smith appeared in all 13 games and led the Bulldogs with 4.5 sacks.[1] As a junior in 2013, Smith recorded 2.5 sacks, including 2.0 in a 59–26 loss to LSU.[5]

Smith started the 2014 season with a bang, winning the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week Award in each of the first three weeks.[6] Smith recorded an interception in the Bulldogs' 49–0 rout of Southern Miss,[7] and returned another acrobatic, one-handed interception for a touchdown in the Bulldogs' win over UAB.[8] Smith ended the season with 42 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown.

At the end of his senior season, Smith was projected as a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft by CBS and NFL Draft Scout.[9][10]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
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 4+7⁄8 in
(1.95 m) 		271 lb
(123 kg) 		34 in
(0.86 m) 		10+5⁄8 in
(0.27 m)		 4.74 s 1.60 s 2.73 s 4.28 s 7.07 s 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 24 reps
All values from NFL Combine[11][12]

Washington Redskins

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2015

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The Washington Redskins selected Smith in the second round with the 38th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.[13] Smith was the seventh defensive end drafted in 2015.[14]

On May 11, 2015, the Redskins signed Smith to a four-year, $5.77 million contract that includes $3.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.46 million.[15][16][17] Throughout training camp, Smith competed to be the backup right outside linebacker against veteran Trent Murphy. Head coach Jay Gruden named Smith the backup right outside linebacker to start the regular season, behind Murphy, after Junior Galette sustained a season-ending injury.[18]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Washington Redskins' season-opener against the Miami Dolphins and made two solo tackles, forced two fumbles, a fumble recovery, and made his first career sack as they lost 17–10. During the third quarter, Smith recovered a fumble he caused while making his first career sack on quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a 13-yard loss.[19] In Week 13, Smith earned his first career start and recorded one solo tackle as the Redskins earned a 24–21 victory at the Chicago Bears. On December 26, 2015, Smith tied his season-high of four combined tackles (three solo) and also had a season-high three sacks on Sam Bradford during a 38–24 victory at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. His performance earned him the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.[20] He finished his rookie campaign with 35 combined tackles (24 solo), eight sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 16 games and 2 starts.[21]

The Redskins finished first in the NFC East with a 9–7 record and clinched a playoff berth. On January 10, 2016, Smith appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles, a sack, and earned the first safety during a 35–18 loss against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wildcard Game.[22]

2016

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In March 2016, Smith was voted as one of the best under-25 players in the NFL.[23] Smith entered training camp slated as a backup outside linebacker behind Junior Galette and Ryan Kerrigan. Head coach Jay Gruden named Smith the starting right outside linebacker after Junior Galette sustained a torn Achilles during the 2016 preseason.[24] In a game against the Minnesota Vikings in November 2016, Smith had two sacks, along with his first career interception, helping the Redskins to a 26–20 win.[25]

2017

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Smith with the Redskins in 2018

Smith had a strong performance in the 2017 win against the Arizona Cardinals recording a sack, his second career interception, and a fumble recovery caused by Anthony Lanier.[26][27] In the last game of the season, Smith recorded his third career interception on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.[28] In the 2017 season, he tied his season-high of eight sacks.

2018

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In 2018, Smith recovered a fumble caused by Ryan Kerrigan in the end zone helping to seal the Week 7 win against the Dallas Cowboys and recording his first career touchdown.[29] Smith recorded his fourth career interception against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 11.[30]

Green Bay Packers

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2019

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Smith with the Packers in 2022

On March 14, 2019, Smith signed with the Packers on a four-year, $52 million contract.[31][32] In Smith's debut as a Packer in Week 1 against the Bears, he made 5 tackles and sacked Mitchell Trubisky 1.5 times in the 10–3 win.[33] In Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, Smith sacked Joe Flacco 3 times and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Packers in the 27–16 win, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.[34][35] In week 6 against the Detroit Lions, Smith sacked Matthew Stafford 1.5 times in the 23–22 win.[36] In week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, Smith recorded 2 sacks on Kyle Allen in the 24–16 win.[37]

In Week 16 against the Vikings, Smith recorded 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks during the 23–10 win.[38] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded 2 sacks on Russell Wilson during the 28–23 win, including one at the 2-minute warning in the 4th quarter.[39] He finished the season with 56 tackles, 12 sacks and four pass deflections.[40]

2020

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In Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Smith recorded his first full sack of the season on Jake Luton during the 24–20 win.[41] In Week 12 against the Bears on Sunday Night Football, Smith recorded three total tackles (one for loss) and sacked Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky once during the 41–25 win; he also recovered a fumble forced by teammate Za'Darius Smith on Trubisky and returned it for a 14-yard touchdown, the second score of his career.[42]

2021

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On March 12, 2021, Smith signed a new contract in Green Bay that reduced his base salary after a disappointing 2020 season, with performance incentives that could increase his total pay to eclipse the previous figure if he tallied 14 sacks during the season.[43] Smith rebounded in 2021, tallying 9 sacks as a full-time starter with Za'Darius Smith injured for most of the year, and tallying high grades from Pro Football Focus.[44]

2022

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On March 14, 2022, Smith signed a four-year, $52.5 million extension with the Packers through the 2026 season.[45]

2024

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During the 2024 offseason, Smith switched positions from outside linebacker to defensive end after Green Bay's new defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, implemented a 4–3 defense.[46] In 2024, he started nine games for the Packers and recorded 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks.[47]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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On November 5, 2024, the Packers traded Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.[48] With the Steelers using a 3–4 defense, Smith switched back to the outside linebacker position.[49] Smith told the media he was not comfortable with his new role as a defensive end in Hafley's defense and requested a trade, which the Packers granted.[50]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR TDs
2015 WAS 16 2 35 24 11 8.0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0
2016 WAS 16 16 38 22 16 4.5 0 3 1 22 22.0 22 0 0 0 0
2017 WAS 16 16 42 31 11 8.0 0 3 2 26 13.0 18 0 1 1 0
2018 WAS 16 16 53 30 23 4.0 0 3 1 3 3.0 3 0 0 1 1
2019 GB 16 16 56 36 20 12.0 0 4 1 5 5.0 5 0 1 0 0
2020 GB 16 13 42 29 13 4.0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2021 GB 16 16 38 25 13 9.0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0
2022 GB 17 17 59 38 21 8.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2023 GB 17 17 48 28 20 8.0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
2024 GB 9 9 19 6 13 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PIT 4 0 8 5 3 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 159 138 438 274 164 69.5 0 27 5 56 11.2 22 0 10 7 2
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR
2015 WAS 1 0 3 2 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 GB 2 2 4 4 0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 GB 2 2 6 4 2 0.0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 GB 1 1 9 6 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 GB 2 2 3 2 1 1.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 8 7 25 18 7 4.5 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Preston Smith bio". HailState.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  2. ^ "Preston Smith". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  3. ^ "Preston Smith". Scout.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Preston Smith". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  5. ^ "No. 10 LSU pulls away to beat Mississippi State". ESPN. Associated Press. October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  6. ^ Bonner, Michael (September 15, 2014). "Preston Smith wins third consecutive SEC weekly award". ClarionLedger.com. The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  7. ^ "Mississippi St beats Southern Miss 49–0". ESPN. Associated Press. August 30, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mississippi State beats UAB 47–34". ESPN. Associated Press. September 6, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "2015 DE rankings". CBSsports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "Preston Smith". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "Preston Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". National Football League. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "Preston Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  14. ^ Mink, Nate (May 1, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft: Who is Preston Smith? Washington picks Mississippi State DL in second round". Syracuse.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  15. ^ Keim, John (May 15, 2015). "Preston Smith's contract breakdown". ESPN. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  16. ^ Kring-Schreifels, Jake (May 11, 2015). "Preston Smith Signs His Redskins Contract". Redskins.com. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Spotrac.com: Preston Smith contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  18. ^ Jones, Mike (September 6, 2015). "Trent Murphy beats out Preston Smith for starting outside linebacker spot". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  19. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins – September 13th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  20. ^ Walker, Andrew (January 1, 2016). "Preston Smith Voted League's Rookie of the Week". Redskins.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  21. ^ "Preston Smith 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  22. ^ Czarda, Stephen. "Ryan Kerrigan Sees Growth in Preston Smith, Explosiveness in Junior Galette". Redskins.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  23. ^ Harrison, Elliot. "Teddy Bridgewater, Le'Veon Bell head All-Under-25 Team". National Football League. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  24. ^ Gulizia, Anthony (July 25, 2016). "Position breakdown: Preston Smith will be counted on after Junior Galette injury". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  25. ^ Jones, Mike. "Preston Smith finally has the breakout game the Redskins have been pleading for". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  26. ^ Martin, Kimberley (December 17, 2017). "'The sky is the limit for him': Anthony Lanier delivers breakout game for Redskins". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  27. ^ Whyno, Stephen (December 18, 2017). "Smith, Lanier Handle Gabbert; Redskins Beat Cardinals 20–15". NBCWashington.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  28. ^ "Giants close dismal season with 18–10 win over Washington". WTOP.com. December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  29. ^ Jones, Mike (October 21, 2018). "What style points? NFC East-leading Redskins win with rugged approach". USA Today. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  30. ^ Homler, Ryan (November 18, 2018). "Redskins Fall Just Short To Texans in Week 11 Matchup". Redskins.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  31. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 12, 2019). "Packers add trio of high-priced free agent defenders". National Football League. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  32. ^ "Packers sign four players". Packers.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  33. ^ "Packers D, Aaron Rodgers beat Bears 10–3 in opener". ESPN. Associated Press. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  34. ^ "Packers remain unbeaten with 27–16 win over Broncos". ESPN. September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  35. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (September 25, 2019). "Daniel Jones, Deshaun Watson among Players of the Week". National Football League. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019.
  36. ^ "Packers get the calls, Crosby hits late FG to beat Lions". ESPN. October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  37. ^ "Packers' Jones scores 3 TDs in 24–16 win over Carolina". ESPN. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  38. ^ "Packers' Preston Smith: Half a sack on Monday night".
  39. ^ "Packers hold off Seahawks 28–23 to reach NFC title game". ESPN. Associated Press. January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  40. ^ "Packers' Preston Smith: Piles up 12 sacks in 2019".
  41. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  42. ^ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  43. ^ Kruse, Zach (March 12, 2021). "Preston Smith takes incentive-laden pay cut to stay with Packers". Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  44. ^ "Preston Smith – Green Bay Packers". PFF.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  45. ^ "Packers sign LB Preston Smith to contract extension". Packers.com. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  46. ^ Hodkiewicz, Wes (June 18, 2024). "Like 'fine wine,' Preston Smith still setting the tone in Year 10". Packers.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  47. ^ "Packers announce trade with Steelers". Packers.com. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  48. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 5, 2024). "Steelers acquire Smith in trade". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  49. ^ Smith, Michael David (November 6, 2024). "Preston Smith says he requested a trade, Steelers' defense fits him better than Packers'". Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  50. ^ Adamski, Chris. "Preston Smith is happy to be a Steeler. Says a few weeks ago he requested a trade from the Packers | X".
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