MOBILE, Ala. — Every NFL team could use a safety who’s a ball hawk. A center fielder, of sorts, who can quickly process and roam the field trying to create a game-altering play.
That’s why former Georgia safety Christopher Smith will appeal to teams ahead of April’s draft.
Smith, a Hapeville Charter product, was a dynamic presence in Georgia’s secondary during its back-to-back national championship seasons. He intercepted six passes over the past two seasons, patrolling a secondary that included talents such as Lewis Cine, Derion Kendrick and Kelee Ringo.
Smith’s versatility and leadership – he was a captain and key on-field communicator – made him a crucial part of two historically dominant defenses. Georgia used Smith in multiple ways, from playing deep to moving into the box to operating from the slot. Smith’s athletic ability allows him to cover ground quickly, while his physicality and willingness as a tackler also lets him play closer to the line of scrimmage.
“The level of competition at the University of Georgia is unmatched,” Smith said Wednesday. “It’s unlike any college in the nation. For me to have that opportunity, it definitely helps me going forward in my journey.”
In the 2022 SEC Championship game against LSU, Smith was the player who recovered the ball following a blocked kick and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown as Tigers players seemed unaware the play was alive. Smith also intercepted a pass and collided with a defender that resulted in another interception during Georgia’s 50-30 win.
Smith had eight tackles in Georgia’s narrow victory over Ohio State in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal. He forced a fumble in the championship game when Georgia dismantled TCU 65-7. Smith also had an interception in the previous CFP title game off Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who many people project to be the first quarterback selected in April.
There is Smith’s sales pitch to NFL teams: Wherever you put him, he always seems to find the ball.
“It’s being instinctive, having that anticipation, film study, man,” Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday. “That’s a very important part of the game. I take a lot of pride in incorporating that into my game.”
The 22-year-old Smith officially began his pre-draft process this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. He impressed in practices with not only his coverage ability but his tenacity – another vital trait in Smith’s makeup. Despite being a smaller player, Smith never shies from contact. In fact, he often seeks it.
Smith measured 5-feet-10 and 188 pounds, which didn’t come as a surprise. He’s a smaller player, and with that always comes hesitation to some degree, but dismissed those concerns during a conversation with the AJC following a practice Wednesday.
“I feel like it doesn’t matter because it ain’t mattered to this point,” Smith said. “So why would it matter now? I feel like there are plenty of examples of me in the NFL, guys who are considered undersized or whatever. But they continue to go out there and make plays day in and day out.”
Indeed, there are a lot of players with Smith’s profile who’ve thrived in the pros. Tennessee’s Kevin Byard (listed as 5-11, 212 pounds), Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield (5-9, 203) and Arizona’s Budda Baker, (5-10, 194) have been Pro Bowlers and key pieces of good defenses in recent years.
Former LSU standout Tyrann Mathieu (5-9, 190) and former Seahawks All-Pro Earl Thomas (5-10, 202) always will be popular examples of this player type. Athletic testing will be crucial for Smith, as it was with those players, but his instinctiveness would provide value to any defense, especially with the passing emphasis of the modern NFL.
“I feel like that narrative (about smaller players) needs to be eliminated from the game,” Smith said. “Good ballplayers come in all shapes and sizes. You got plenty of examples of that. Tyrann Mathieu, (retired running back) Darren Sproles; there’s plenty of others.
“That narrative needs to die, man. … At the end of the day, if you’re a ballplayer, you’re a ballplayer.”
Smith long has admired Mathieu, who currently plays with New Orleans. It’s easy to see why. There’s no better example in modern NFL history of a smaller safety/nickel who constantly finds the ball. In 10 seasons, Mathieu has made three All-Pro teams. He has 29 interceptions, 44 tackles for loss and helped win a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2019.
“We have the same build and stature; I just feel I can relate to his versatility,” Smith said. “Just the amount of versatility he brings. He was definitely a special player for me to watch. I’ve been a big fan of him for a very, very long time. Hopefully I get the opportunity to meet him one day.”
Smith’s projected draft range varies between the second and fourth round. Pro Football Focus ranked him No. 100 on its big board. CBS has him at No. 82. The Draft Network has him 66th. Sports Illustrated had him No. 49 in a recent big board. Smith ranks No. 62 on the NFL Mock Draft Database, which averages rankings from other resources.
In other words, Smith can really help or hurt his case in the coming months. But he would recommend you defer to his tape, where he showed the ballhawk instincts that would help any defense.
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