Wikipedia

Roquan Smith

Roquan Daevon Smith (born April 8, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award.[1]

Roquan Smith
refer to caption
Smith in 2023
No. 0 – Baltimore Ravens
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-04-08) April 8, 1997 (age 27)
Marshallville, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Macon County (Montezuma, Georgia)
College:Georgia (2015–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / round: 1 / pick: 8
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Total tackles:917
Sacks:20.0
Pass deflections:34
Interceptions:10
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Smith was introduced to organized football at the age of six. In the years to follow his youth football coaches had to keep a copy of his birth certificate on file to dispute claims that he was too old to play.[2] He attended Macon County High School in Montezuma, Georgia, where he played football for the Bulldogs.[3] He originally committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college football but changed his commitment to the University of Georgia.[4][5]

College career

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While at the University of Georgia, Smith played college football under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart.[6] As a true freshman at Georgia in 2015, Smith played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles.[7] As a sophomore in 2016, he started 10 of 13 games, recording 95 tackles.[8][9]

In 2017, Smith was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game, as well as SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.[10] He became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award.[11] Smith decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and entered the 2018 NFL draft.[1]

College statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Georgia Bulldogs
Season GP Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Cmb Solo Ast TFL Sck Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD
2015 10 20 9 11 1.5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 13 95 52 43 5.0 0.0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0
2017 15 137 85 53 14.0 6.5 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
Career 38 252 146 102 20.5 6.5 0 0 0 3 3 3 0 0

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+7⁄8 in
(1.85 m) 		236 lb
(107 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.51 s 1.51 s 2.63 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13]
 
Smith with Khalil Mack, DeAndre Houston-Carson, and Akiem Hicks of the Chicago Bears in 2018

Chicago Bears

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2018

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Smith was selected by the Chicago Bears with the eighth overall pick in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft.[14]

His contract signing was significantly delayed due to contract disputes between the Bears and Smith's agency CAA Football over language in his rookie contract stating whether his guaranteed money would be reclaimed by the team if he was suspended due to the NFL's new rule outlawing contact leading with the helmet. CAA argued for wording that would protect Smith's guaranteed earnings, while the Bears preferred for decisions to be determined by the league, a situation that was exacerbated by skepticism surrounding the rule and the frequency of tackling in Smith's role.[15] On August 14, the Bears signed Smith to a fully guaranteed four-year, $18.47 million contract that included a signing bonus of $11.51 million.[16] He was the last first-round pick in his draft class to sign with his team.[17][18]

 
Roquan Smith in a game against the Seattle Seahawks

In his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers on NBC Sunday Night Football, Smith recorded a sack on the Packers' quarterback DeShone Kizer on his first career snap.[19] In Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, Smith made 13 tackles.[20] In Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, Smith made 13 tackles as the Bears won the game 41–9.[21][22] In Week 10 against the Detroit Lions, he made 10 tackles and sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford, while the Bears won 34–22,[23] while also leading the team in tackles in both of these weeks.[24] In Week 12 against the Lions, he made 11 tackles and sacked quarterback Stafford in a 23–16 win.[25][26] In Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, Smith made six tackles and recorded his first career interception off Jared Goff and returned the ball 22 yards to the four-yard line as the Bears won 15–6.[27][28][29] In Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Smith made 10 tackles in a 24–17 win.[30] In Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith made nine tackles and sacked Nick Mullens in a 14–9 win.[31] On December 30, during a Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Smith had six tackles as the Bears defeated the Vikings 24–10.[32]

On January 6, 2019, in the Bears' 16–15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild Card playoff game, Smith led the team with seven tackles and made an interception off Nick Foles.[33]

Smith finished the season with 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended, and one interception. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[34] He was selected as Pro Bowl alternate.[35]

2019

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In Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Smith recorded a team high 13 tackles as the Bears won 16–14.[36] In Week 11 against the Rams on Sunday Night Football, Smith recorded a team high 11 tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Jared Goff in the 17–7 loss.[37] In Week 13 against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, Smith recorded a team high 15 tackles and sacked rookie quarterback David Blough twice in the 24–20 win.[38] On December 9, 2019, Smith was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in Week 14.[39]

2020

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In Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, Smith recorded a team-high 11 tackles and sacked Ryan Tannehill once during the 24–17 loss.[40] In Week 10 against the Vikings on Monday Night Football, Smith recorded a team-high 14 tackles and sacked Kirk Cousins once during the 19–13 loss.[41] In Week 14 against the Houston Texans, Smith led the team with 12 tackles and two sacks during the 36–7 win.[42]

During the Bears' 41–17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, Smith intercepted Mike Glennon twice to become the first Bears player with multiple interceptions in a game since Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2019. Smith was also the team's first linebacker to achieve the feat since Lance Briggs in 2008.[43][44] The Bears made it back to the playoffs, for the second time in Smith's career. However, he was inactive in their appearance, a 21–9 loss against the New Orleans Saints, after suffering an elbow injury in the final game of the season.[45][46]

After the season he was elected for the first time to the Sporting News first-team All-Pro team that was voted on by NFL players and executives,[47] and to Associated Press's second-team All-Pro.[48]

2021

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On April 27, 2021, the Bears exercised the fifth-year option on Smith's contract,[49] which guarantees a salary of $9.7 million for the 2022 season.[50] On September 19, Smith intercepted a pass by Joe Burrow and returned it 53 yards for his first defensive touchdown in a 20–17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.[51] On November 8, Smith recorded a sack alongside 12 total tackles in a 29–27 Monday Night Football loss which saw the Bears fall to a 3–6 record on the season.[52] On November 21, Smith recorded a career-high total of 17 tackles, two of which were tackles for losses, in a 16–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.[53] It was the most tackles by a Bears player in a single game since Brian Urlacher had 19 in 2006.[54] Smith finished the season with one interception and 163 total tackles, the fifth-most in the NFL.[55][56] He was named to NFL.com's All-Pro team and the Associated Press' second team All-Pro.[56][57] He was ranked 84th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[58]

2022

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In early August 2022, Smith announced that while he tried to negotiate a contract extension during the offseason, he has requested the Bears trade him stating the reason being the "new front office regime doesn't value me here."[59] Smith did report to Bears' training camp, but refused to practice. On August 20, Smith ended his hold out from practices and stated he would no longer continue negotiating with the Bears' front office for the remainder of the 2022 season.[60] On September 25, Smith recorded 16 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception, during a 23–20 win over the Texans.[61]

Baltimore Ravens

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Smith shaking hands with Maryland Governor Wes Moore in 2023.

2022

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On October 31, 2022, Smith was traded to the Ravens for A. J. Klein, a 2023 second round pick, and a 2023 fifth round pick.[62] He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December.[63] He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors.[64][65] He finished the 2022 season with 169 total tackles (103 solo), 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, and six passes defended.[66] On January 10, 2023, Smith signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens, including $45 million fully guaranteed with $60 million in total guarantees, making him the highest paid linebacker in the league. The deal was also notable because Smith does not have an agent and negotiated it himself.[67] He was ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[68]

2023

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In May 2023, Smith changed his number to '0', becoming the first Raven ever to wear that number.[69] On November 12, 2023, Smith was credited with a career-high 21 tackles (14 solo) in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.[70] He and Ray Lewis are the only Ravens in franchise history to record at least 20 tackles in a single game. Smith also became the first NFL defensive player in 2023 to record 20+ tackles in a single game.[2]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR
2018 CHI 16 14 121 89 32 5.0 0 5 1 22 22.0 22 0 0 0
2019 CHI 12 12 101 66 35 2.0 0 2 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 CHI 16 16 139 98 41 4.0 0 7 2 16 8.0 11 0 1 1
2021 CHI 17 17 163 95 68 3.0 0 3 1 53 53.0 53 1 0 0
2022 CHI 8 8 83 52 31 2.5 0 3 2 22 11.0 18 0 0 0
BAL 9 9 86 51 35 2.0 0 3 1 19 19.0 19 0 0 0
2023 BAL 16 16 158 84 74 1.5 0 8 1 30 30.0 30 0 1 0
2024 BAL 8 8 82 45 37 0.0 0 3 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 0
Career 102 100 933 580 353 20.0 0 34 10 162 16.2 53 1 3 1

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR
2018 CHI 1 1 7 6 1 0.0 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 CHI 0 0 did not play due to injury
2022 BAL 1 1 8 3 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2023 BAL 2 2 23 10 13 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Career 4 4 38 19 19 0.0 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

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On May 8, 2018, nearly two weeks after being drafted, it was reported that Smith's car was burglarized in Athens, Georgia, where a team-issued iPad along with some of Smith's personal belongings, including his college jerseys, helmet, and awards were stolen from his car. However, the next day, the stolen items were recovered.[71][72]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rittenberg, Adam (January 15, 2018). "Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith to enter NFL draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Roquan Smith" (PDF). Baltimoreravens.com. Baltimore Ravens.
  3. ^ Seibel, Ron (February 2, 2015). "Smith about to give Macon County its big moment". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Four-star LB Roquan Smith commits to Georgia without LOI". Sports Illustrated. February 13, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Carvell, Michael (February 13, 2015). "Roquan Smith: UGA beats UCLA for historic recruit". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  6. ^ "Georgia Bulldogs Coaches". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Paschall, David (August 4, 2016). "Active Roquan Smith impressing Georgia coach Kirby Smart". Times Free Press. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  8. ^ Sudge, Brandon (July 14, 2017). "Roquan Smith garners high expectations, bold comparison ahead of junior season". Macon.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  9. ^ Paschall, David (July 20, 2017). "Roquan Smith ready to build off Georgia's 2016 finish". Times Free Press. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Georgia, Auburn split top awards on AP All-SEC football team". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  11. ^ "Dick Butkus Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Roquan Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "Roquan Smith, Georgia, ILB, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "Roquan Smith selected No. 8 overall by Bears". NFL.com. April 26, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  15. ^ Campbell, Rich (July 28, 2018). "Roquan Smith's holdout centers on new NFL helmet-contact rule". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
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  19. ^ Finley, Patrick (September 9, 2018). "Roquan Smith debut: Bears rookie LB posts sack on first NFL snap". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  20. ^ Stankevitz, JJ (October 15, 2018). "Bears grades: Defense falls flat, and a longer look at Matt Nagy's decision-making". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved October 17, 2018. Roquan Smith racked up 13 tackles...
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  25. ^ Eurich, Matt (November 22, 2018). "Bears players react to Thanksgiving Day win". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
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  36. ^ "Pineiro's 53-yard field goal lifts Bears past Broncos 16–14". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  37. ^ "Gurley, Brown help Rams ground out 17–7 win over Bears". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  38. ^ "Trubisky's 3rd TD pass lifts Bears to 24–20 win over Lions". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
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  40. ^ "Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans – November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
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  43. ^ Smith, Nathan (December 28, 2020). "Inside Slant: Smith continues breakout season". Chicago Bears. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
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  46. ^ "Wild Card – Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – January 10th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
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  48. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 8, 2021). "Patterson chosen AP first-team All-Pro". chicagobears.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  49. ^ Alper, Josh (April 27, 2021). "Bears exercise Roquan Smith's 2022 option". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  50. ^ Lieser, Jason (April 27, 2021). "Bears exercise fifth-year option on LB Roquan Smith for 2022: report". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  51. ^ "Roquan Smith 2021 Touchdown Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  52. ^ "Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 8th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  53. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Chicago Bears – November 21st, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  54. ^ Chamberlain, Gene (November 22, 2021). "Big Numbers Mean Little to These Bears". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  55. ^ "Roquan Smith 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  56. ^ a b Shapiro, Alex (January 12, 2022). "Roquan Smith named to NFL.com All-Pro Team". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  57. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 14, 2022). "Bears selected". Chicago Bears. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  58. ^ "2022 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  59. ^ Edholm, Eric (August 9, 2022). "Roquan Smith requests trade from Chicago Bears: Potential landing spots for star linebacker". NFL.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  60. ^ Cronin, Courtney (August 20, 2022). "Chicago Bears LB Roquan Smith ends hold-in, to play out final year of rookie deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  61. ^ Taylor, Ryan (September 25, 2022). "Roquan Smith came up with a clutch, late-game INT". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  62. ^ Patra, Kevin (October 31, 2022). "Bears trading LB Roquan Smith to Ravens for draft picks". NFL.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  63. ^ Mink, Ryan (January 12, 2023). "Roquan Smith Named AFC Defensive Player of the Month". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  64. ^ "2022 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  65. ^ "2022 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  66. ^ "Roquan Smith 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  67. ^ Patra, Kevin (January 10, 2023). "Ravens, LB Roquan Smith agree to terms on five-year, $100 million contract extension". NFL.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  68. ^ "2023 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  69. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 5, 2023). "Roquan Smith Explains Jersey Number Change to Zero". Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  70. ^ "Ravens' Roquan Smith: Huge production in loss". CBSSports.com. November 14, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  71. ^ Patra, Kevin (May 8, 2018). "Roquan Smith had Bears-issued iPad stolen from car". NFL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  72. ^ Teope, Herbie (May 9, 2018). "Roquan Smith recovers most items after robbery". NFL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
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