Harrison Smith (American football)

Harrison Smith

refer to caption

Smith with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015
No. 22 Minnesota Vikings
Position: Free safety
Personal information
Date of birth: (1989-02-02) February 2, 1989
Place of birth: Augusta, Georgia
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school: Knoxville (TN) Catholic
College: Notre Dame
NFL draft: 2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
NFL
Career NFL statistics as of 2015
Tackles: 320
Sacks: 5.5
Interceptions: 12
Pass deflections: 26
Touchdowns: 4
Forced fumbles: 3
Player stats at NFL.com

Harrison Smith (born February 2, 1989) is an American football free safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in the first round, 29th overall of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Vikings. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

High school career

Smith attended Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He played running back and defensive back for the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish football team. As a sophomore in 2004, he helped Knoxville Catholic to unbeaten regular season and final 10-1 record. He rushed for 1,312 yards and had 446 receiving yards (32 catches) with 23 combined touchdowns as a junior in 2005 on a Knoxville Catholic team that ended up 11-2. He intercepted five passes, returning two for touchdowns, forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and also made 87 tackles (11 for loss) at safety slot. He earned Tennessee Class 3A first-team All-state honors as junior from Tennessee Sports Writers Association. He was one of the top 33 running backs on 2006 preseason basis by CBS Sportsline.com College Football Preview. He was rated as the 46th best overall prospect in Southeast on 2006 preseason basis by The Sporting News SchoolSports. As senior in 2006, he gained 1,340 yards rushing to go with 19 touchdowns, caught 23 passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns, and also made 61 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and caused two fumbles on defense. He also averaged 14 yards per punt return for team that finished 12-1 after unbeaten regular season and Tennessee Class 3A quarterfinal loss. He helped '06 Knoxville Catholic team average 37 points per game. He was named the 2006-07 Gatorade Football Player of the Year in the state of Tennessee.[1] He was named to Super Southern 100 team for 2006 by Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of nine safeties. He was the 2006 American General Tennessee Mr. Football Back of the Year in Class 3A. He was named 2006 Tennessee Class 3A All-state defensive back by Tennessee Sports Writers Association and by Tennessee Football Coaches Association, East Tennessee High School Football Player of the Year for '06 by the Lawrenceburg (Tenn.) Quarterback Club. Also named to Nashville Tennessean Dream Team for '06 as a safety. He made four tackles for West squad in MSL Events' East Meets West all-star game in January 2007 in Orlando. He had a 4touchdown game playing for Polk high.

In addition to being a star in football, Smith was also a starter on the basketball team and was a standout track & field athlete. In 2006, he won the state meet in the high jump (6 feet, 6 inches or 1.98 m) and the decathlon, scoring 6230 points. He posted a career-best leap of 2.03 meters (6 feet, 8 inches) in the high jump as a senior.[2] He also had personal-best leaps of 6.54 meters (21 feet, 4 inches) in the long jump and 14.15 meters (46 feet, 4 inches) in the triple jump.[3]

Recruiting

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Smith was listed as one of top 250 players nationally, including seventh among Tennessee prospects and among top 25 nationally in athlete category.[4] He was rated as the 89th best prospect nationally by CSTV, and sixth nationally among safeties. Many scouts believed he could play offense or defense in college. He chose Notre Dame over scholarship offers from Tennessee, Auburn, and Alabama.

College career

Smith attended the University of Notre Dame from 2007 to 2011, where he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He started in 47 of his 51 collegiate contests and was one of six fifth-year seniors on scholarship on 2011 Irish roster (David Ruffer, Mike Ragone, Andrew Nuss, Gary Gray and Taylor Dever are the others). He served as the Irish captain in 2011. He is the only player in Irish football history to register more than 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 pass breakups in a career. He leads or tied for lead among active Irish players in just about every defensive category, including games (38, tied), games started (34), total tackles (214), solo tackles (134), pass breakups (18), passes defended (25) and interceptions (seven). His 15.5 tackles for loss are third most on team. He has recorded three and a half career sacks and forced one fumble. He did not play as freshman but practiced that season at safety. He moved to linebacker as sophomore and started nine games for Irish at strong-side linebacker. He started at both safety and linebacker in 2009.

Freshman

As a freshman in 2007, Smith did not see the field as a reserve safety. He helped prepare the first-team offense during the season by playing on the look team in practice.

Sophomore

After red-shirting as a freshman in 2007, Smith emerged as a star in 2008 as a sophomore. He first began his career at linebacker. He played in all 13 games, starting 9 for the Irish and started all but four contests (San Diego State, Michigan, Purdue and Hawai'i). He recorded 57 tackles, which included 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 57 stops, including eight and a half tackles for a loss. He also recorded three and a half sacks on the year and had seven pass break-ups. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles, led the team in tackles for loss, tied for team-high honors in sacks and tallied second-most pass breakups. He recorded three tackles (all solo), including a tackle for a loss in his Irish debut vs. San Diego State. He made his first career start and tallied six tackles (solo, five assists), including one for a loss against Michigan State. He amassed three tackles (two solos, assist) vs. Stanford. He also recorded his first career rush on a successful fake punt for 23 yards. He tied then a career high in tackles with six (three solos, three assists) including a tackle for a loss at North Carolina. He registered five tackles (three solos, two assists) in victory at Washington, where he added his first two career sacks and also ran a fake punt 35 yards. He recorded five tackles (four solos, assist) including a tackle for a loss in his fifth career start vs. Pittsburgh. He amassed a team-high nine tackles (seven solos, two assists) including one for a loss at Boston College. He made two tackles (both assists) and assisted on a tackle for loss and a sack in the win against Navy. He registered seven tackles (five solos, two assists), a sack and two pass break-ups against Syracuse. He tallied three tackles (all solos) and added a pass breakup in regular season finale vs. USC. He was credited with five tackles (all solos) and had two pass breakups in Hawaii Bowl victory.

Junior

As a junior in 2009, Smith was one of only three defensive players to start all 12 games for the Irish, joining safety Kyle McCarthy and linebacker Brian Smith. He started the first six games at safety before moving to strongside linebacker for final six contests. He ranked third on team with 69 tackles and tied for third with six and a half tackles for loss, while also adding four pass breakups and forced one fumble. He tallied six tackles including five solo stops in the season opener against Nevada. He recorded a team-best 11 tackles at Michigan, including one and a half tackles for loss. He registered seven tackles against Michigan State. He then switched to linebacker against Boston College and responded with four tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. He tied career-high with two tackles for loss against Navy. He led the Irish with nine tackles at Pittsburgh, where he also added one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. He led front seven and was second on team with 11 tackles against Connecticut. He totaled 299:32 of playing time on defense and ranked 10th on team with 127 appearances on special teams.

Senior

In his senior year in 2010, Smith saw action in all 13 games. He was one of 11 players to start all 13 games for the Irish. He joined linebackers Darius Fleming and Manti Te'o, cornerbacks Gary Gray and Darrin Walls and defensive ends Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson as the only players on the defensive side of the ball to start all 13 games. He totaled 93 tackles, including one-half tackle for loss (1 yard), seven interceptions (54 yards) and seven pass breakups. He ranked second on the team in total tackles, second in solo stops and third in assisted tackles. He led the team in interceptions and pass breakups. He ranked fourth in the FBS in interceptions per game (0.54) and total interceptions (seven). He eclipsed 10 or more tackles in four different games (Michigan State, Stanford, Pittsburgh and Navy). He registered four tackles, including three solo stops, in the victory over Purdue in the season opener. He collected nine tackles, including six solo stops, and one pass breakup against Michigan. He recorded another pass breakup and 10 more tackles at Michigan State. He eclipsed 10 or more tackles for the second straight game with 11 total stops, seven solo, versus Stanford. He made a pair of solo tackles and collected first career interception in the victory at Boston College. He was all over the field in the victory over Pittsburgh, recording a career-best 13 tackles, registering a pair of pass breakups and collecting an interception. He posted another a 10-tackle game against Navy. He collected a pass breakup and six tackles, four solo stops, against Tulsa. He registered a highlight-reel interception and made seven tackles in the victory over Utah. He recorded a tackle for loss and totaled five overall stops in the triumph over Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium. He made six overall tackles, including five solo stops, registered a pair of pass breakups and collected an interception deep in Irish territory with only 36 seconds remaining that clinched the victory over USC. He registered three interceptions in the first half alone in the Hyundai Sun Bowl victory over Miami. The three interceptions not only equaled a school record, but also equaled the Sun Bowl record, becaming the 14th Notre Dame player to accomplish that, the last being Shane Walton versus Maryland in 2002. The three interceptions was also an Irish bowl game record. He was selected by ESPN.com to its All-Bowl team. He recorded 820 snaps on defense, the most of any defensive back and second most of any Irish defensive player.

In 2011, Smith was accepted to a graduate program at Notre Dame allowing him to play another season.[5] In his final year in 2011, serving as team captain, he played in and started in all 13 games. He recorded 90 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss.

Professional career

2012 NFL Draft

External video
Smith's NFL Combine workout
Smith gets drafted by Minnesota
Pre-draft measurables
Ht WtArm lengthHand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
6 ft 2 in 213 lb32 5/8 in10 1/4 in 4.54 s 1.54 s 2.59 s 4.12 s 6.63 s 34 in 10 ft 2 in 19 reps
All values from NFL Combine

Smith was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, 29th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, becoming just the third Notre Dame player and third defensive back chosen by the Vikings in the first round in team history.

Minnesota Vikings

2012 season

Harrison Smith in 2012

Smith had a record-setting debut as a rookie. He started all 16 games and a Wild Card playoff game. He tied the Vikings rookie record with 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns. This tied for 3rd in the NFL, and ranked 2nd among NFL rookies. He ranked 2nd on the team with 129 tackles, and led the team with 87 yards on interception returns while matching the team-high with 3 interceptions. He set the Vikings record with 16 starts by a rookie safety, passing the previous high of 14 by Chuck Lamson. He ranks 3rd in INT return yards by a Vikings rookie. He had 10+ tackles in 5 games on the season and a season-high 12 stops at the Green Bay Packers (12/2) and at the St. Louis Rams (12/16). He notched his lone sack at the Houston Texans (12/23), catching Matt Schaub. On October 8, 2012, Smith was ejected after flailing against an official. On October 19, 2012, he was fined $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle on Robert Griffin III. On October 21, 2012, Smith had his first career interception and returned it for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. On December 9, 2012, Smith had his third career interception and returned it for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.[6] He earned All-Rookie honors for the season.

2013 season

In 2013, Smith averaged over 8 tackles per game, notching 66 in 8 games played. He returned to the field for the final 3 games of regular season, coming back vs. Philadelphia (12/15) in upset win over playoff-bound Eagles. The Vikings went 2-1 in final 3 games of season. He missed 8 games as he recovered from injury. He suffered injured toe vs. Carolina Panthers (10/13) and was placed on injured reserve for recall. He grabbed 2nd INT in consecutive games vs. Cleveland Browns (9/22). He snagged 1st INT of season at Chicago Bears(10/15) when he picked off Jay Cutler. He started season opener at Detroit Lions (9/8) and led DBs with 10 tackles.

2014 season

Harrison Smith at training camp in 2014.

Harrison Smith kept the starting spot at Free Safety and started all 16 games for the Vikings, leading them in interceptions. He got his first interception of the season in week one when he picked off Austin Davis (who came in for relief of an injured Shaun Hill) and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. He also managed to acquire a sack the same game. He had back to back interceptions starting with week four against the Falcons, then he managed to pick off Matt Flynn during garbage time in week five. He didn't get anymore interceptions until week eleven when he got his third interception against the Bears in his career, picking off Jay Cutler and returning it 52 yards into Bears territory. He got back to back sacks the next two weeks against the Panthers and the Jets. Finally, he got his 10th career interception and final interception of the year when he intercepted Ryan Tannehill and took it eleven yards before being tackled by Tannehill.[7] Harrison Smith was one of three Viking defenders named to the PFF All-NFC North Team [8] and the only Viking defender named PFF All-Pro Team as a first team safety.[9] Smith finished the 2014 season tied for third in the league in interceptions with five and the only player with at least three interceptions and three sacks. Despite his efforts, Smith was not voted into the 2015 Pro Bowl.[10]

2015 season

Harrison Smith remained the starter for the Vikings at Free Safety for the 2015 season. He recorded his first interception of the season against the Broncos in week 4, picking off Peyton Manning. He also recorded his first sack in week 7 against the lions when he sacked Matthew Stafford during a 28-19 win. In week 11, Smith suffered a hamstring injury and missed the Vikings' week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He attempted to return in week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks but left early in the first quarter after recording two tackles and the Vikings lost 7-38. Smith missed the next two games against the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears. He finally returned in week 16 in a game against the New York Giants where he intercepted Eli Manning's pass and returned it for a touchdown, his first of the year and fourth career pick six. To conclude his 2015 season with the Vikings, Smith was rated 92.7 on a scale of 1-100 by Pro Football Focus, the highest among all safeties in the NFL for 2015.[11] Pro Football Focus considers a player with a grade of 90+ to be elite and Pro Bowl worthy.[12] On January 24th, 2016, Smith was named to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate, becoming the first Vikings defensive back to play in the game since Antoine Winfield in 2010. Smith also helped lead the Vikings to the playoffs since 2012 in his rookie season.

Career Statistics

College

Regular season statistics Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Season Team GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck Sfty PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR YDS
2008 Notre Dame 13 9 57 39 18 3.5 -- 7 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 Notre Dame 12 12 69 39 30 0.0 -- 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0
2010 Notre Dame 13 13 93 56 37 0.0 -- 7 7 54 7.7 23 0 0 0 0
2011 Notre Dame 13 13 90 53 37 0.0 -- 10 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 51 47 309 187 122 2.0 -- 28 7 54 7.7 23 0 2 0 0

NFL

Minnesota Vikings
Regular season statistics Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Season Team GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck Sfty PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR YDS
2012 MIN 16 16 104 74 30 1.0 -- 11 3 87 29.0 56T 2 1 0 0
2013 MIN 8 7 58 47 11 0.0 -- 3 2 4 2.0 4 0 0 0 0
2014 MIN 16 16 92 71 21 3.0 -- 9 5 150 30.0 81T 1 1 0 0
2015 MIN 13 13 66 49 15 1.5 -- 3 235 17.5 35T1 1 0 0
Career 53 52 320 241 79 5.5 -- 26 12 276 -- 81T 4 3 0 0

[13]

References

  1. ↑ National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Harrison Smith". trackingfootball.com. Tracking Football.
  4. ↑ "Harrison Smith". rivals.com. Yahoo! Sports.
  5. ↑ "Notre Dame Releases Official Fifth-Year Senior List". sportscrack.blogspot.com. Sportscrack LLC. January 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ Mayer, Larry (2012-12-10). "Bears fall to Vikings 21-14". Chicago Bears.
  7. ↑ http://www.nfl.com/player/harrisonsmith/2532948/gamelogs?season=2014
  8. ↑ https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/01/21/2014-pff-all-nfc-north-team/
  9. ↑ https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/01/05/2014-pff-all-pro-team/2/
  10. ↑ Goessling, Ben (December 23, 2014). "2015 Pro Bowl: Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith not selected". espn.go.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  11. ↑ Vesnaver, Bryson (January 5, 2016). "Wilson-to-Baldwin Connection Key in SEA-MIN Matchup". profootballfocus.com. Pro Football Focus. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "How We Grade". profootballfocus.com. Pro Football Focus. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Harrison Smith Stats". nfl.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 6, 2016.

External links

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