T.J. Smith Bio
Fredrick “T.J.” Smith, born April 19, 1997, is an American professional football defensive tackle who has built his career on persistence and steady development. After playing college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 as an undrafted free agent and has since moved across several NFL organizations. Smith is currently with the Tennessee Titans, continuing his journey in the league.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 300 pounds, Smith fits the prototypical build for an interior defensive lineman. His career path from Moultrie, Georgia, to the professional ranks reflects years of training, high school competition, and college experience. He remains active in professional football, having also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, the Minnesota Vikings, the Orlando Storm of the United Football League, and now the Tennessee Titans.
Early Life and Background
Smith was born in Moultrie, Georgia, to Frederick and Avis Smith. He grew up in the same small South Georgia city that has produced a long line of football talent, and that environment helped shape his interest in the sport from a young age. His family supported his athletic development, and he often spoke about how his parents encouraged him to keep working toward his goals.
Smith originally attended North Stanly High School in New London, North Carolina, where he earned all-state recognition in high school football. That early distinction helped him gain national attention as a defensive line prospect. Wanting a stronger platform for his senior season, he transferred to Colquitt County High School in his hometown of Moultrie, Georgia, where he helped the program win a state title in its region. That high school success set the stage for his college recruitment.
Path to American Football
Rated as the 142nd best player in the nation by ESPN, Smith drew attention from several major college programs. He had originally committed to Vanderbilt before flipping his decision to the University of Arkansas, joining the Arkansas Razorbacks and beginning his college career in 2016. His recruitment marked the first major milestone in his rise toward the professional level.
Smith redshirted his freshman year before gradually working his way into the Razorbacks’ defensive rotation. He played in just five games during his redshirt freshman season, recording limited statistics, but he used that year to adjust to the speed and physical demands of the Southeastern Conference. By his sophomore year, he had earned a starting role and began producing consistently in the middle of the defensive line.
T.J. Smith Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Smith spent four seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks, developing into a reliable interior defender. After redshirting in 2016, he appeared in only five games in 2017 and recorded minimal statistics as he adjusted to college football. His role expanded significantly in his sophomore year, when he started all twelve games and increased his tackle total from four the year prior to twenty-six.
As a junior, Smith started all twelve games and continued to anchor the Razorbacks’ defensive front. His play helped Arkansas post a team total of 882 tackles that season. In his senior year, he started all twelve games for the third consecutive season, although his tackle total dropped compared to his previous two years. Despite going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, his durability and starting experience made him a priority free-agent target.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2020)
After the 2020 NFL draft concluded without his name being called, Smith signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He spent the entire 2020 NFL season on the team’s practice squad, learning the team’s defensive system and continuing to develop his body for the professional level. He was released by the Chargers before the start of the 2021 regular season.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2021–2023)
Smith joined the Minnesota Vikings midway through the 2021 NFL season when the team signed him to its practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster before the Week 12 game against the San Francisco 49ers, recording his first regular-season appearances. On January 10, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings to remain with the organization.
Smith was waived by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 20, 2023, securing his place in the organization. The Vikings waived him again on August 29, 2023, before the regular season, and re-signed him to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 30, 2023, finishing the year with the team. Through the 2023 season, Smith had recorded 11 total tackles in his NFL career.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024)
On May 13, 2024, Smith signed with the Carolina Panthers, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was waived on August 27, 2024, as part of roster cuts, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad the same day. The Panthers promoted him to the active roster on October 19, 2024, before releasing and re-signing him to the practice squad on October 23, 2024.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
Smith signed with the Tennessee Titans on August 18, 2025, continuing his push to remain in the NFL. The Titans released him during preliminary roster cuts on August 25, 2025. He has since been linked to the Orlando Storm of the United Football League, signing with the team on March 9, 2026, before being released on March 19, 2026, signaling his ongoing effort to extend his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most meaningful moments of Smith’s career came when he was elevated to the Minnesota Vikings’ active roster for the first time in 2021, marking his official NFL regular-season debut. He has also navigated multiple practice-squad moves across three different franchises, showing the resilience required to remain in professional football. Signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2025 represented his latest opportunity to compete for a roster spot at the highest level.
T.J. Smith Career Highlights
Although Smith has not recorded a Pro Bowl selection or major individual award, his career is defined by steady progression and a strong willingness to develop. He has appeared in regular-season games for the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, contributing as a rotational defensive tackle. His 11 total tackles through the 2023 season reflect a depth role rather than a starting role at the NFL level.
Arkansas Razorbacks Highlights
At Arkansas, Smith started all twelve games in each of his final three seasons, finishing his college career as a reliable presence on the Razorbacks’ defensive line. His twenty-six-tackle sophomore season stood as his most productive year statistically, and his continued consistency in his junior and senior years helped him earn an undrafted free-agent opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020.
Other Performances
Beyond his college and NFL stops, Smith also spent time with the Orlando Storm of the United Football League in 2026, demonstrating his willingness to play across multiple professional leagues. His journey through the Chargers, Vikings, Panthers, and Titans organizations shows a player who has remained focused on extending his football career at the professional level.
T.J. Smith Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Smith was raised in Moultrie, Georgia, by his parents, Frederick and Avis Smith. His upbringing in a football-friendly region and the support of his family helped shape his path toward the sport. The Smith family has remained a steady presence throughout his football journey, with his Moultrie roots continuing to anchor his identity as a player.
2025 Season Performance
Smith entered the 2025 NFL calendar year as a veteran defensive tackle looking to extend his professional career. He signed with the Tennessee Titans on August 18, 2025, hoping to earn a roster spot with the organization. The Titans released him during preliminary roster cuts on August 25, 2025, leaving him available as a free agent.
Despite the release, Smith’s experience across multiple NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers, has kept him in position to attract interest from teams in need of interior defensive line depth. His familiarity with practice-squad mechanics and his durability through four college starting seasons make him a viable candidate for late-season roster opportunities.
Looking ahead, Smith’s path will likely depend on whether an NFL team offers a practice-squad or active-roster role during the season, or whether opportunities arise in spring football leagues such as the UFL. His 2025 storyline reflects the reality of life on the margins of an NFL roster, where perseverance and readiness often determine how long a career continues.
