Christopher "Chris" D. Smith (born December 26, 1990) is an American former professional football player who played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He was primarily recognized for his contributions on special teams and as a versatile backup defensive back throughout his career.
Early Life and College Career
Born in Pahokee, Florida, Smith pursued his collegiate football career at the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks. During his time with the Razorbacks, he was a key player in the secondary, demonstrating versatility at the safety position and contributing significantly to special teams units.
Professional Career
Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Jaguars, from 2013 to 2016, primarily excelling as a special teams player and providing depth as a reserve safety.
Following his tenure with the Jaguars, Smith signed with the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2017 season. His NFL career concluded after playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Across his time in the league, Smith was valued for his reliability on special teams coverage and his ability to step in at various defensive back positions.