Chris Smith II
| Georgia Bulldogs – No. 29 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Strong safety |
| Class | Senior |
| Major | Management |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 1, 2000 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| Bowl games | |
| High school | Hapeville Charter (Union City, Georgia) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Christopher Paul Smith II (born May 1, 2000) is an American football strong safety for the Georgia Bulldogs.
High school career
Smith attended Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Union City, Georgia. As a senior, Smith recorded five interceptions and seven pass break-ups with 54 tackles.[1] As a three-star recruit, Smith chose to play college football at the University of Georgia, following teammate William Poole.
College career
Smith played sparingly in his first two seasons at Georgia.[2] Smith would play in all ten games in 2020, and he would increase his production after starter Richard LeCounte got into a motorcycle accident in 2020.[3][4] In 2021, Smith would become the full time starter. In week one against Clemson, Smith intercepted Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and returned it 74 yards for the only touchdown of the game, which resulted in a 10-3 Georgia victory.[5] Over the course of the season, Smith played in 12 games amassing 34 tackles, and recording three interceptions.[6] In the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Smith would tally one interception and a career high seven tackles in Georgia's win.[7] Shortly after the game, Smith announced he would return to Georgia using the extra year of eligibility given by the NCAA because of the shortened COVID-19 2020 season.[8] Before the 2022 season, Smith was named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award and the preseason All-SEC Second Team.[9][10]
References
- ^ Surge, Brandon (May 3, 2017). "Christopher Smith on Georgia commitment: 'Why not represent the home team?'". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "A new mindset helps Christopher Smith prepare for big role on Georgia defense – Bulldawg Illustrated". bulldawgillustrated.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ Press, Associated (2020-11-01). "Georgia star safety LeCounte injured in motorcycle wreck". WJXT. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ Towers, Chip. "Georgia's Richard LeCounte 'lucky to be alive,' stable after motorcycle accident". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ Towers, Chip. "Georgia Bulldogs beaming about seniors like Christopher Smith". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "Georgia safety Christopher Smith announces return for 2022 season". The Red and Black. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "Christopher Smith, Georgia DB, announces plans for 2022 season". Saturday Down South. 2022-01-14. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "Christopher Smith announces return to UGA for final year of eligibility in 2022". On3. 2022-01-14. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award". Paycom.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "SEC reveals preseason SEC media poll, All-SEC team". www.secsports.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.