2013: Earned Second-Team All-Big South Conference honors thanks to a breakout year as the Bucs’ nose tackle in a new aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme…Dropped about 20 pounds prior to the season and served as the anchor in CSUs new defensive attack…Recorded 33 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while also breaking up a pass…Often commanded two blockers and freed up one-on-one opportunities for CSU’s other defensive linemen and linebackers…Had only one tackle in the win over The Citadel (8/31), but helped free up middle linebacker Calvin Bryant to tally 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks…Had three tackles, half a sack and one tackle for loss in the win at Campbell (9/14)…Recorded two tackles, including one for loss, in the win at Norfolk State (9/21)…Tallied five tackles in the win at Appalachian State (9/28) and was critical in the Bucs’ ability to stop the Mountaineers in several short yardage situations…Made four tackles and notched a sack in the win over North Greenville (10/5)…Was outstanding in CSU’s loss at PAC-12 foe Colorado (10/19), posting four solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack against the Buffaloes…Did his damage against Colorado while primarily going up against Gus Handler, a Rimington Award candidate – the trophy given to the nation’s top center…Notched three tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits in CSU’s win over then-No. 3 and undefeated Coastal Carolina (11/9)…Had four tackles, including one for loss, in the season finale against Liberty (11/23).
2012: Started all 11 games at defensive tackle, giving him 16 career starts through two years at CSU...Recorded 25 tackles and two tackles for loss on the season...Came up with four solo stops in season opener at The Citadel (9/1)...Posted four tackles, inclduing 0.5 a tackle for loss, in win over VMI (10/13)...Finished the season with a strong performance at Coastal Carolina (11/17), racking up four tackles and one for loss.
2011: Appeared in nine games at defensive tackle, starting five…first career start came in home opener versus Norfolk State on Sept. 24…tallied 28 tackles (14 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery…recovered a fumble in homecoming game versus Wesley on Oct. 1…set career-high with five tackles against VMI on Oct. 15…also recorded five tackles versus Gardner-Webb on Oct. 29, and against Presbyterian on Nov. 19…all of his tackles for loss came in game at Gardner-Webb on Oct. 29.
High School: Played for coach Phil Magdic at Greenville High School and was an all-region and all-county selection...Earned best lineman award as well as the coaches for character award at Greenville...Also a star track athlete, earning all-county, all-region and all-state honors in the discus while at Greenville.
Personal: Son of David and Rachel Smith...older brother played football at Clemson.
