Chris Smith II Bio
Christopher Paul Smith II is an American professional football safety born on May 1, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2022 and was a key contributor on two consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship teams in 2021 and 2022. Known for his ball-hawking instincts and tackling in high-stakes matchups, Smith entered the NFL in 2023 and has since played for multiple franchises as a defensive back.
Listed at 5 ft 10 in and approximately 197 pounds, Smith has built his reputation on quick reads in coverage and the ability to deliver in the biggest moments, including a 95-yard blocked-field-goal return for a touchdown against Alabama in the 2022 SEC Championship Game.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Paul Smith II grew up in the Atlanta area and attended Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Union City, Georgia, where he developed into a Division I prospect. As a senior, he recorded five interceptions and seven pass breakups while adding 54 tackles, a stat line that showcased his instincts as a cover safety and his willingness to come up in run support.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Smith followed a familiar path by choosing to play college football at the University of Georgia, joining former high school teammate William Poole in the Bulldogs’ secondary. His early years in Athens were defined by patience, learning behind more experienced players while adjusting to the speed of the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Smith’s path to top-level American football began at Hapeville Charter, where his interception totals and physical play drew the attention of SEC recruiters. His decision to commit to Georgia placed him inside one of the most competitive defensive backfields in college football, a setting that demanded steady development in his first two seasons on campus.
After seeing limited action early in his college career, Smith earned a larger role in 2020 and gradually grew into a full-time starting safety. By 2021, he was a regular in the Bulldogs’ secondary, intercepting Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in the season opener and returning the pick 74 yards for the only touchdown in a 10-3 victory, a play that announced his arrival on the national stage.
Chris Smith II Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Smith played sparingly in his first two seasons at Georgia before breaking into a meaningful role in 2020, when an injury to starter Richard LeCounte opened the door for more snaps. He appeared in all ten games that shortened season, learning the responsibilities of a starting safety while competing against top-tier Southeastern Conference offenses.
In 2021, Smith became the full-time starter and played in 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles and three interceptions. His interception return for a touchdown against Clemson set the tone for a championship run, and his steady play helped anchor a Georgia defense that captured the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Georgia Bulldogs Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Smith’s 2021 campaign established him as a trusted starter, but his 2022 season elevated him into a national profile. During the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, he recorded one interception and a career-high seven tackles in Georgia’s victory, performances that helped secure the program’s first national title in more than four decades.
In the 2022 SEC Championship Game, Smith etched his name into conference lore when teammate Nazir Stackhouse blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt, and Smith scooped the ball and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown in a 50-30 win over Alabama. Georgia followed with a 65-7 rout of TCU in the national championship, giving Smith back-to-back College Football Playoff titles.
That final collegiate season, Smith totaled 50 tackles and three interceptions and was named a unanimous All-American alongside former teammate Jalen Carter. He was also a first-team All-SEC selection, and shortly after the national championship, he announced he would enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023-2025)
Smith was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round with the 170th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He joined a secondary looking to add playmakers and brought the tackling and coverage skills he had refined during Georgia’s championship runs. Through his early professional tenure, he contributed on special teams and in the defensive backfield, posting 10 total tackles as of the 2025 season.
On November 18, 2025, Smith was waived by the Raiders, ending his initial NFL chapter in Las Vegas and opening the door for a quick transition to a new team.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025)
Just one day after being waived, on November 19, 2025, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, giving him a brief opportunity to contribute in a contender’s secondary. His stint in Los Angeles was short, however, as he was waived by the Rams on December 23, 2025, after less than five weeks with the organization.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On December 24, 2025, Smith was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, providing him a fresh start on a defense in need of depth at the safety position. The Jets’ claim reflected continued league-wide interest in the young defender’s pedigree and his championship-level experience from Georgia.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith’s strengths as a defensive back include sharp coverage reads, reliable open-field tackling, and a nose for the football in critical situations. His knack for returning turnovers, including his 74-yard pick-six against Clemson and his 95-yard blocked-kick return against Alabama, demonstrates the change-of-direction speed and field awareness that translate well to professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Smith’s signature achievements are his two College Football Playoff National Championships with Georgia in 2021 and 2022, his unanimous All-American selection in 2022, and his first-team All-SEC honor the same season. His game-changing plays in the SEC Championship and national title games remain defining moments of his playing career.
Chris Smith II Career Wins
Chris Smith II has accumulated significant team success at the college level, with two College Football Playoff National Championships and an SEC Championship to his credit. In the NFL, his tenure has spanned three franchises since the 2023 season, with each chapter bringing new opportunities to compete for roster spots and contribute on special teams and defense.
Georgia Bulldogs Highlights
Smith’s Georgia tenure is highlighted by 3 interceptions in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, capped by dominant performances in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the SEC Championship Game. He appeared in 12 games in 2021 and posted a career-high 7 tackles in the 2022 national championship, performances that cemented his status as one of the top defensive backs in college football.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NFL, Smith has notched 10 total tackles as of the 2025 season, with stops for the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Jets, a path that underscores his durability and continued pursuit of a stable professional role.
Chris Smith II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Christopher Paul Smith II’s family background is limited, and he has not been publicly linked to a notable sports lineage beyond his college football connections.
Personal Life
Smith’s personal life outside of football has remained largely private, with no public details about a spouse or children available at this time.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Christopher Paul Smith II, beginning with a stint on the Las Vegas Raiders roster that ended when he was waived on November 18, 2025. Within 24 hours, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, but his time in Los Angeles was brief, as the Rams waived him on December 23, 2025.
Smith was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets the very next day, December 24, 2025, giving him a late-season opportunity to compete for snaps in a Jets secondary looking to evaluate young talent. The rapid succession of moves through three contenders reflects a market that still values his coverage traits, tackling, and championship pedigree from Georgia.
Heading into the rest of 2025, Smith’s outlook centers on earning a defined role in the Jets’ defensive backfield and translating his big-game experience into consistent production. With the offseason approaching, his ability to settle into a defensive system and contribute on special teams will likely shape his prospects for the following campaign.