Preston Smith (linebacker)

Preston Demarquis Smith[1] (born November 17, 1992) is an American football outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State University and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Preston Smith
Smith with the Washington Redskins in 2015
No. 91 – Green Bay Packers
Position:Outside Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1992-11-17) November 17, 1992
Atlanta, Georgia
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:Mississippi State
NFL Draft:2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:266
Sacks:40.5
Pass deflections:20
Interceptions:5
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:4
Defensive touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life

Smith attended Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.[1] He was rated as a two-star recruit by 247sports.com,[2] and Scout.com,[3] and a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.[4] He chose to play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs over offers from Kentucky, Syracuse, and West Virginia, among others.[4]

College career

Smith appeared in 8 games as a true freshman in 2011 season, recording a forced fumble in a 31–3 win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.[1] In 2012, Smith appeared in all 13 games and led the Bulldogs with 4.5 sacks.[1] As a junior in 2013, Smith recorded 2.5 sacks, including 2.0 in a 59–26 loss to LSU.[5]

Smith started the 2014 season with a bang, winning the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week Award in each of the first three weeks.[6] Smith recorded an interception in the Bulldogs' 49–0 rout of Southern Miss,[7] and returned another acrobatic, one-handed interception for a touchdown in the Bulldogs' win over UAB.[8] Smith ended the season with 42 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown.

At the end of his senior season, Smith was projected as a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by CBS[9] and NFL Draft Scout.[10]

Professional career
External video
Preston Smith's NFL Combine Workout
Preston Smith's Combine Interview
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4 7⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		 271 lb
(123 kg)		 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10 5⁄8 in
(0.27 m)		4.74 s1.60 s2.73 s4.28 s7.07 s34 in
(0.86 m)		10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		24 reps
All values from NFL Combine[11]

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins selected Smith in the second round with the 38th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.[12] Smith was the seventh defensive end drafted in 2015.[13]

External video
Redskins draft Preston Smith 38th overall
NFL Draft Profile: Preston Smith

2015

On May 11, 2015, the Washington Redskins signed Smith to a four-year, $5.77 million contract that includes $3.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.46 million.[14][15][16] Throughout training camp, Smith competed to be the backup right outside linebacker against veteran Trent Murphy. Head coach Jay Gruden named Smith the backup right outside linebacker to start the regular season, behind Murphy, after Junior Galette sustained a season-ending injury.[17]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Washington Redskins’ season-opener against the Miami Dolphins and made two solo tackles, forced two fumbles, a fumble recovery, and made his first career sack as they lost 17–10. During the third quarter, Smith recovered a fumble he caused while making his first career sack on quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a 13-yard loss.[18] In Week 13, Smith earned his first career start and recorded one solo tackle as the Redskins earned a 24–21 victory at the Chicago Bears. On December 26, 2015, Smith tied his season-high of four combined tackles (three solo) and also had a season-high three sacks on Sam Bradford during a 38–24 victory at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. His performance earned him the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.[19] He finished his rookie campaign with 35 combined tackles (24 solo), eight sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 16 games and one start.[20]

The Washington Redskins finished first in the NFC East with a 9–7 record and clinched a playoff berth. On January 10, 2016, Smith appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles, a sack, and earned the first safety during a 35–18 loss against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wildcard Game.[21]

2016

In March 2016, Smith was voted as one of the best under-25 players in the NFL.[22] Smith entered training camp slated as a backup outside linebacker behind Junior Galette and Ryan Kerrigan. Head coach Jay Gruden named Smith the starting right outside linebacker after Junior Galette sustained a torn Achilles during the 2016 preseason.[23] In a game against the Minnesota Vikings in November 2016, Smith had two sacks, along with his first career interception, helping the Redskins to a 26–20 win.[24]

2017
Smith playing against the Oakland Raiders in 2017.

Smith had a strong performance in the 2017 win against the Arizona Cardinals recording a sack, his second career interception, and a fumble recovery caused by Anthony Lanier.[25][26] In the last game of the season, Smith recorded his third career interception on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.[27] At the end of the 2017, he tied his season-high of eight sacks.

2018

In 2018, Smith recovered a fumble caused by Ryan Kerrigan in the end zone helping to seal the Week 7 win against the Dallas Cowboys and recording his first career touchdown.[28] Smith recorded his fourth career interception against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 11.[29]

2019
Smith (right) playing in a game against the Redskins in 2019

On March 14, 2019, Smith signed with the Green Bay Packers on a four-year, $52 million contract.[30][31] In Smith's debut as a Packer in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, he made 5 tackles and sacked Mitchell Trubisky 1.5 times in the 10–3 win.[32] In Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, Smith sacked Joe Flacco 3 times and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Packers in the 27–16 win, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.[33][34] In week 6 against the Detroit Lions, Smith sacked Matthew Stafford 1.5 times in the 23–22 win.[35] In week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, Smith recorded 2 sacks on Kyle Allen in the 24–16 win.[36]

In Week 16 against the Vikings, Smith recorded 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks during the 23–10 win.[37] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded 2 sacks on Russell Wilson during the 28–23 win, including one at the 2 minute warning in the 4th quarter.[38] He finished the season with 56 tackles, 12 sacks and four pass deflections.[39]

2020

In Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Smith recorded his first full sack of the season on Jake Luton during the 24–20 win.[40] In Week 12 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football, Smith recorded three total tackles (one for loss) and sacked Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky once during the 41–25 win; he also recovered a fumble forced by teammate Za'Darius Smith on Trubisky and returned it for a 14 yard touchdown, the second score of his career.[41]

Statistics

Regular season
YearTeamGPGSTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
TotalSoloAstSckSFTYPDefIntYdsAvgLngTDsFFFR
2015WAS 1623524118.0040000031
2016WAS 16163822164.50312222.022000
2017WAS 16164231118.00322613.018011
2018WAS 16165330234.003133.03001
2019GB 161656362012.004155.05010
2020GB 16163825134.0030000001
Total96842621689440.502055611.222054
Source: NFL.com

Postseason
YearTeamGPGSTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
TotalSoloAstSckSFTYPDefIntYdsAvgLngTDsFFFR
2015WAS 103211.0100000000
2019GB 224402.0000000000
2020GB 224410000000000
Total54111023.0100000000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References
  1. "Preston Smith bio". HailState.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  2. "Preston Smith". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  3. "Preston Smith". Scout.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  4. "Preston Smith". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  5. "No. 10 LSU pulls away to beat Mississippi State". ESPN. Associated Press. October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  6. Bonner, Michael (September 15, 2014). "Preston Smith wins third consecutive SEC weekly award". ClarionLedger.com. The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  7. "Mississippi St beats Southern Miss 49–0". ESPN. Associated Press. August 30, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  8. "Mississippi State beats UAB 47–34". ESPN. Associated Press. September 6, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  9. "2015 DE rankings". CBSsports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  10. "Preston Smith". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  11. "NFL Draft Profile: Preston Smith". National Football League. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  12. "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  13. Mink, Nate (May 1, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft: Who is Preston Smith? Washington picks Mississippi State DL in second round". Syracuse.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  14. Keim, John (May 15, 2015). "Preston Smith's contract breakdown". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  15. Kring-Schreifels, Jake (May 11, 2015). "Preston Smith Signs His Redskins Contract". Redskins.com. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  16. "Spotrac.com: Preston Smith contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  17. Jones, Mike (September 6, 2015). "Trent Murphy beats out Preston Smith for starting outside linebacker spot". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  18. "Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins – September 13th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  19. Walker, Andrew (January 1, 2016). "Preston Smith Voted League's Rookie of the Week". Redskins.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  20. "Preston Smith 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  21. Czarda, Stephen. "Ryan Kerrigan Sees Growth in Preston Smith, Explosiveness in Junior Galette". Redskins.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  22. Harrison, Elliot. "Teddy Bridgewater, Le'Veon Bell head All-Under-25 Team". National Football League. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  23. Gulizia, Anthony (July 25, 2016). "Position breakdown: Preston Smith will be counted on after Junior Galette injury". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  24. Jones, Mike. "Preston Smith finally has the breakout game the Redskins have been pleading for". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  25. Martin, Kimberley (December 17, 2017). "'The sky is the limit for him': Anthony Lanier delivers breakout game for Redskins". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  26. Whyno, Stephen (December 18, 2017). "Smith, Lanier Handle Gabbert; Redskins Beat Cardinals 20–15". NBCWashington.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  27. "Giants close dismal season with 18–10 win over Washington". WTOP.com. December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  28. Jones, Mike (October 21, 2018). "What style points? NFC East-leading Redskins win with rugged approach". USA Today. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  29. Homler, Ryan (November 18, 2018). "Redskins Fall Just Short To Texans in Week 11 Matchup". Redskins.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  30. Patra, Kevin (March 12, 2019). "Packers add trio of high-priced free agent defenders". National Football League. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  31. "Packers sign four players". Packers.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  32. "Packers D, Aaron Rodgers beat Bears 10–3 in opener". ESPN. Associated Press. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  33. "Packers remain unbeaten with 27–16 win over Broncos". ESPN. September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  34. Bergman, Jeremy (September 25, 2019). "Daniel Jones, Deshaun Watson among Players of the Week". National Football League.
  35. "Packers get the calls, Crosby hits late FG to beat Lions". ESPN. October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  36. "Packers' Jones scores 3 TDs in 24–16 win over Carolina". ESPN. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  37. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/packers-preston-smith-half-a-sack-on-monday-night/
  38. "Packers hold off Seahawks 28–23 to reach NFC title game". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  39. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/packers-preston-smith-piles-up-12-sacks-in-2019/
  40. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  41. "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
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