Elerson Smith

BIOGRAPHY

Elerson G. Smith, born on the 17th of July 1998, is an accomplished name in American professional football. He hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he kick-started his journey into the sports world. He unveiled his passion for sports and games, lettering in track and field, wrestling, and basketball during his time at Minneapolis South High School. But it is on the football pitch where he shone the brightest, carving out a path that would lead him to the National Football League.

Following high school, Elerson found his stride at the college level, representing Northern Iowa in American football. In his early years there, he builds strength and understanding of the game, redshirting in his true freshman season. Although he didn’t play any games in that period, it was a time of growth and development. As a redshirt sophomore, Elerson finally saw playing time and showcased his talent with significant stats – totaling 19 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Elerson’s commitment to the sport paid dividends when he was awarded first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and a first-team FCS All-American by the AFCA. His impressive performance included 63 total tackles, 14 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. A catalyst on the field, he was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year ahead of his redshirt senior season. However, the surging pandemic forced him to forgo the spring season, instead focusing his energies on preparing for the much-anticipated 2021 NFL draft.

His rigorous preparation led to participation in the 2021 Senior Bowl, a platform that provided a glimpse into his remarkable skills and potential. Capitalizing on this, the New York Giants picked Elerson in the fourth round, making him the 116th overall selection of the 2021 NFL Draft. Joining the ranks of one of the NFL’s franchises, Elerson agreed to a four-year rookie contract with the Giants on May 25, 2021.

While appreciating the highs, his journey has also witnessed some challenging times. He was placed on the injured reserve at the beginning of the season on September 1, 2021, and although activated again on November 6, the following year proved to be testing. On January 5, 2022, after suffering a neck injury, Elerson found himself back on injured reserve. More injuries followed later in 2022, and by December 16, he was back on the reserve due to injuries.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Elerson was released by the Giants on July 25, 2023. He did not let these setbacks bow him down, finding his way through the New York Jets’ practice squad on October 11, 2023. His time with the Jets was short-lived, causing his release on November 1.

Elerson continued his journey in the NFL, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad on November 22, 2023. The following year, he agreed to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. However, due to injuries, he was waived off on August 27, 2024. Bouncing back from his ordeals, Elerson was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on September 25, 2024. This is where he currently continues his pursuit of a successful career in professional American football.