Terell Smith Bio
Terell Smith is an American professional football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 27, 1999, in The Bronx, New York, he played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota before entering the NFL. The Chicago Bears selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has continued to develop within the team’s defensive backfield.
Listed at six feet tall and 204 pounds, Terell Smith brings a physical, aggressive approach to the cornerback position. He attended South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Georgia, where he first drew attention as a college recruit. His path from The Bronx to Georgia, then to Minnesota, and finally to Chicago reflects a steady rise through competitive football environments.
Early Life and Background
Terell Smith was born on July 27, 1999, in The Bronx, New York. He grew up in a household that introduced him to athletics at a young age, and football soon became his primary focus. As a child, he developed the speed, footwork, and coverage instincts that would later define his reputation as a defensive back.
Smith later relocated to Snellville, Georgia, where he attended South Gwinnett High School. At South Gwinnett, he played cornerback and demonstrated the traits that scouts value most at the position: quickness, ball skills, and a willingness to tackle in the run game. His performance in high school attracted college interest, and he committed to play for the University of Minnesota.
Moving from New York to Georgia, and then preparing for college in the Big Ten Conference, gave Smith a wide range of competitive experiences. Each transition helped him grow as both a player and a young man, and his development continued steadily through high school and into the recruiting process.
Path to American Football
Terell Smith’s entry into competitive American football began in earnest at South Gwinnett High School, where he established himself as a dependable cover corner. His combination of size and speed made him a strong candidate for Power Five programs, and he chose to take his talents to the University of Minnesota and the Big Ten Conference.
At Minnesota, Smith joined a defense that produced multiple NFL-caliber defensive backs during his tenure. He earned early playing time as a freshman and gradually expanded his role each season, learning from teammates and coaches along the way. The program gave him a strong foundation in both man and zone coverage principles.
After several seasons of steady growth, Smith’s performance placed him in position for the 2023 NFL Draft. He completed his college career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers and prepared for the next step at the professional level.
Terell Smith Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Terell Smith enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 2018 and quickly earned a starting role as a freshman cornerback. He finished that first season with 43 tackles, one interception, and eight passes broken up, an impressive debut that hinted at his long-term potential.
Over the next two seasons, his playing time was limited as Benjamin St-Juste transferred into the program and took over as a starting cornerback. Smith redshirted his junior year, used the time to develop his body and his technique, and returned the following season as a starter. Midway through his redshirt junior year, he was briefly benched before regaining his starting spot. As a senior, he recorded 38 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and five passes broken up.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Smith entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round, 165th overall. The selection marked a significant milestone, validating his college production and giving him a clear path to the NFL roster.
As a rookie with the Bears in 2023, Smith appeared in 12 games and made four starts. He posted 49 tackles, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble, showing the team that he could contribute on defense and on special teams right away.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Terell Smith continued his development with the Bears, playing in 14 games with two starts. He finished the season with 19 tackles, four passes defensed, and his first NFL interception, demonstrating continued growth in coverage and awareness.
Heading into 2025, Smith suffered a torn patellar tendon during the preseason and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 24, 2025. The injury interrupted what had been a positive trajectory, but the Bears remain committed to his recovery and his long-term role in the secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Terell Smith is known for his physicality at the line of scrimmage and his willingness to contribute in run support. He combines reliable man-coverage technique with the length and awareness to disrupt passing lanes, and his special-teams background has made him a dependable all-around contributor for the Bears.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most notable milestones include his fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, his first NFL interception in 2024, and his continued presence in the Chicago Bears secondary. His career-defining moment came when he earned a starting role as a Minnesota freshman and produced against Big Ten competition.
Terell Smith Career Wins
While cornerbacks do not accumulate traditional win totals, Terell Smith’s professional production can be measured through tackles, passes defensed, and turnovers forced. Through his first two NFL seasons, he has shown steady growth in each of those areas.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Smith has appeared in 26 regular-season games and recorded 68 tackles, 10 pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery through the 2024 season. His first career interception came in 2024, and he has consistently contributed on special teams in addition to his cornerback duties.
Other Performances
At the college level with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Smith developed into a reliable Big Ten cornerback across multiple seasons. He finished his senior year with two interceptions and five passes broken up, capping a college career that prepared him for sustained professional work.
Terell Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Terell Smith was raised in The Bronx, New York, before his family relocated to Snellville, Georgia, where he attended South Gwinnett High School. Details about his parents and extended family have not been publicly disclosed in available sources.
Personal Life
Terell Smith is focused on his professional football career with the Chicago Bears. Public information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with promise for Terell Smith and the Chicago Bears. After a productive 2024 campaign that included his first NFL interception, he entered training camp looking to build on his role within the defensive backfield and on special teams.
Unfortunately, Smith suffered a torn patellar tendon during the 2025 preseason and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 24, 2025. The injury halted his on-field development for the year and required a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Looking ahead, the Bears organization views Smith as a long-term piece of their secondary. Once healthy, he is expected to compete for an expanded defensive role and to continue contributing on special teams as he works toward a full return to the field.
