Roquan Smith

BIOGRAPHY

Roquan Daevon Smith is a renowned American professional football linebacker, born on April 8, 1997. Currently, he plays for the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League (NFL). Smith had an early start in football, taking to the field for organized games when he was only six years old. Proving to be a prodigy, his youth football coaches kept a copy of his birth certificate on file to confirm his age amidst accusations that he was too old to play.

Smith’s high school education was at Macon County High School in Montezuma, Georgia. Here, he played football for the Bulldogs, the school’s team. Originally, he intended to play college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). However, he later switched his commitment to the University of Georgia, where he had an illustrious college football career under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart.

As a prominent player from his freshman year in 2015, Smith made significant contributions to his team, playing in 12 games and recording 20 tackles. The following year he started 10 of 13 games, recording an impressive 95 tackles. By 2017, he had established himself as a formidable player, earning the title of MVP of the SEC Championship Game, and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. That year, he also became the first player from the Georgia Bulldogs to win the esteemed Butkus Award.

Preferring a professional football career, Smith decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and entered the 2018 NFL draft. His exceptional skills caught the attention of the Chicago Bears, who selected him with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the draft. Contract discussions were significant as they included disputes on the conditions of his guaranteed money in relation to the NFL’s new rule outlawing contact leading with the helmet. Eventually, the Bears signed Smith to a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.47 million contract, inclusive of an $11.51 million signing bonus.

Smith’s NFL debut was in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers on NBC Sunday Night Football. His first career snap saw him record a sack on the Packers’ quarterback DeShone Kizer. Throughout his first season, he consistently demonstrated his prowess on the gridiron, leading the team in tackles and recording his first career interception. This successful streak carried into his subsequent seasons, with Smith consistently contributing to the team’s success and earning numerous accolades, including a selection as a Pro Bowl alternate and being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Unfortunately, injuries blighted Smith’s career and in December 2019, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral. However, he rebounded and continued to impress, leading his team in tackles, intercepting opponents and recording high numbers of sacks in the games he played. In one standout performance, Smith became the first Bears player with multiple interceptions in a game since Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2019 and the team’s first linebacker to achieve the feat since Lance Briggs in 2008.

Following the conclusion of the season, Smith was recognized as a first-team All-Pro by Sporting News, voted for by NFL players and executives. He also received mention on the Associated Press’s second-team All-Pro. Though his relationship with the Bears worsened, and despite a failed contract negotiation, Smith eventually ended his holdout from practices. His excellent performances continued, leading to his trade to the Ravens for A. J. Klein, a 2023 second round pick, and a 2023 fifth round pick in October 2022.

As a Raven, Smith’s dynamism didn’t wane; indeed, he rose to become the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors. At the end of the 2022 season, he had amassed 169 total tackles (103 solo), 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, and six passes defended. His exceptional performance earned him a five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens in January 2023, making him the highest-paid linebacker in the league.

In May 2023, Smith made history by becoming the first Raven to opt for ‘0’ as his jersey number. Later in November 2023, he recorded a career-high 21 tackles in a game against the Cleveland Browns, placing him alongside Ray Lewis as the only Ravens to record at least 20 tackles in a single game. He is also the first NFL defensive player in 2023 to achieve such a feat.

Off the field, Smith has had some unfortunate experiences. On May 8, 2018, two weeks after the draft, his car was burglarized in Athens, Georgia. Some of his personal belongings, including his college jerseys, helmet, awards, and even a team-issued iPad, were stolen from his car. Thankfully, they were recovered the very next day. Despite such challenges, Roquan Smith continues to demonstrate his commitment and dedication to the game – a true embodiment of sporting excellence.