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Christopher Paul Smith II (born May 1, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and a two-time CFP national champion.

Early life

Smith attended Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Union City, Georgia. As a senior, Smith recorded five interceptions and seven pass break-ups with 54 tackles. As a three-star recruit, Smith chose to play college football at the University of Georgia, following teammate William Poole.

College career

Smith played sparingly in his first two seasons at Georgia. Smith would play in all ten games in 2020, and he would increase his production after starter Richard LeCounte got into a motorcycle accident in 2020. In 2021, Smith would become the full time starter. In week one against Clemson, Smith intercepted Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and returned it 74 yards for the only touchdown of the game, which resulted in a 10–3 Georgia victory. Over the course of the season, Smith played in 12 games amassing 34 tackles, and recording three interceptions. In the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Smith would tally one interception and a career high seven tackles in Georgia's win. Shortly after the game, Smith announced he would return to Georgia using the extra year of eligibility given by the NCAA because of the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his final season at Georgia, Smith recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions, while being named a unanimous All-American alongside former teammate Jalen Carter. During the 2022 SEC Championship Game, after Nazir Stackhouse blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt, Smith returned the blocked kick 95-yards for a touchdown. Georgia would go on to win the game 50–30, before winning their second National Championship in consecutive years, by a score of 65–7. At the season's end, Smith announced that he would enter the 2023 NFL draft.

Professional career

Smith was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round with the 170th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

References

1. Surge, Brandon (May 3, 2017). "Christopher Smith on Georgia commitment: 'Why not represent the home team?'". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
2. "A new mindset helps Christopher Smith prepare for big role on Georgia defense". Bulldawg Illustrated. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
3. "Georgia star safety LeCounte injured in motorcycle wreck". WJXT. Associated Press. November 1, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
4. Towers, Chip (November 1, 2020). "Georgia's Richard LeCounte 'lucky to be alive,' stable after motorcycle accident". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
5. Towers, Chip (September 7, 2021). "Georgia Bulldogs beaming about seniors like Christopher Smith". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
6. "Georgia safety Christopher Smith announces return for 2022 season". The Red and Black. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
7. Farner, Keith (January 14, 2022). "Christopher Smith, Georgia DB, announces plans for 2022 season". Saturday Down South. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
8. Thombs, Palmer (January 14, 2022). "Christopher Smith announces return to UGA for final year of eligibility in 2022". On3. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
9. "Georgia's Christopher Smith, Jalen Carter are unanimous All-Americans". Gwinnett Daily Post. December 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
10. Dennis, Ryne (December 3, 2022). "Georgia football safety Christopher Smith scores TD on LSU field goal". Online Athens. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
11. Burns, Gabriel (February 3, 2023). "Former Georgia safety Christopher Smith taking skills as ball hawk to NFL". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
12. "Christopher Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
13. "2023 NFL Draft Scout Christopher Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
14. Edwards, Levi (April 29, 2023). "Raiders trade with Jets up to No. 170, select S Christopher Smith II". Raiders.com. Retrieved August 8, 2024.

External links

• Las Vegas Raiders bio
• Georgia Bulldogs bio

• 2000 births
• Living people
• All-American college football players
• American football safeties
• Georgia Bulldogs football players
• Players of American football from Atlanta
• Las Vegas Raiders players