Eugene Cyril Smith III Bio
Eugene Cyril “Geno” Smith III is an American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, where he received first-team All-Big East honors in 2011. Selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Smith became their starter in his first two seasons, though injuries and inconsistency led to him being benched. After stints with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, he joined the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned Pro Bowl honors. In 2022, he was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Early Life and Background
Geno Smith was born on October 10, 1990, in Miramar, Florida, to high school students Eugene Smith Jr. and Tracy Sellers. His family has roots in Bimini, Bahamas. Smith’s nickname, “Geno,” was given to him by his grandfather, who was also nicknamed “Big Geno.” He attended Norland Middle School, where he was part of a magnet program that focused on arts instruction. Later, he attended Miramar High School, where he was coached by former Mountaineer Damon Cogdell. During his junior year, Smith passed for 2,200 yards, 25 touchdowns, and three interceptions, earning second-team all-state honors. He was invited to the Elite 11 quarterback camp after his junior year, showcasing his potential as a quarterback. In his senior season, he led his team to the state 6A semi-finals, completing 205 of 338 passes for 3,089 yards and 30 touchdowns, solidifying his reputation as a top quarterback prospect in Florida.
Path to American Football
Smith chose to attend West Virginia University over offers from several other schools, including Florida State and Alabama. He played for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 2009 to 2012, majoring in English. During his freshman year, he served as a backup quarterback and saw limited action. However, in his sophomore year, he became the starting quarterback and led his team to significant victories, including a comeback win against Marshall. Smith’s junior year saw him set multiple school records, including completions, attempts, and passing yards. His senior year was marked by outstanding performances, culminating in a decision to enter the 2013 NFL Draft after leading the NCAA with 42 touchdown passes.
Eugene Cyril Smith III Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Geno Smith was selected by the New York Jets as the 39th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth approximately $5 million. Smith made his professional debut on August 9, 2013, in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions, completing six of seven passes for 47 yards. He was named the starting quarterback after Mark Sanchez suffered an injury. In his rookie season, Smith threw for 3,046 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. Despite a challenging first year, he showed flashes of potential, including becoming the first rookie quarterback in Jets history to throw for over 300 yards in a game.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
After several years of inconsistent play and time spent as a backup, Smith joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He became the team’s starting quarterback in 2022, leading to a breakout season. Smith’s performance included a league-leading completion percentage of 69.8% and a career-high 4,282 passing yards. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2023, Smith continued to excel, breaking his own franchise records for passing yards and completions. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year, further solidifying his status as a top quarterback in the league. In March 2025, Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he signed a two-year contract extension worth $75 million.
Notable Works and Milestones
Geno Smith’s signature achievements include being named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 and earning Pro Bowl honors in both 2022 and 2023. He led the league in completion percentage in 2022 and was the NCAA passing touchdowns leader in 2012.
Eugene Cyril Smith III Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Geno Smith has received several nominations, including recognition for his performance in the Pro Bowl and accolades for his comeback season.
Eugene Cyril Smith III Awards Won
Smith has won notable awards, including the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 and two Pro Bowl selections in 2022 and 2023.
Eugene Cyril Smith III Family
Geno Smith is married to Hayley Eastham, his college girlfriend, since July 2015. The couple has a son named Seven Santana Smith, born on July 17, 2019.
Personal Life
Smith is a Christian and often shares his faith on social media. He has adopted a pescatarian diet, avoiding chicken and beef. His cousin, Jeremiah Smith, is an All-American wide receiver at Ohio State.
