Nolan

Smith

Smith is one of several Georgia Bulldogs who will now suit up for the Eagles this season. Smith is an elite defender who played a key role on Georgia’s national championship-winning teams. He brings elite athleticism and a solid production profile to a defense that could use him all over the field, and will likely work his way into an every-down role.

A former number one overall rated recruit from the 2019 prep cycle according to 247Sports, the IMG Academy product has been a fixture on the vaunted Georgia defense since arriving on campus in 2019. An ace closer, Smith (6’22/238) only missed eight tackle attempts in his four years as a Bulldog and is almost impossible to beat to the sideline on outside runs. Despite being undersized by traditional standards, his bend, get off and ability to flatten after blowing away tackles with his blinding speed are rare, even in a loaded edge class. Smith’s 4.39s 40 is the second fastest time ever run by an edge defender while his blistering 1.47s 10-yard split is a 100th percentile score that portrays the limitless athletic traits Smith possesses. He was limited to just 188 snaps in 2022 but produced 19 pressures in that span while meaning a pristine 90.6 rush defense grade in 2021. His outrageous physical gifts and high-end production bode well for Smith’s transition to the next level as an omnipresent standup 3-4 linebacker who never comes off the field.