DeVonta Smith (cornerback)
| No. 43 – Carolina Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Cornerback |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio) |
| College | Alabama (2021–2024) Notre Dame (2025) |
| NFL draft | 2026: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
DeVonta Smith is an American football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played College football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Early life
Smith attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a junior, he had 38 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions. Smith initially committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes,[1] though he de-committed shortly afterwards.[2] Ultimately, he signed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[3]
College career
Alabama
In his first three seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2021 to 2023, Smith appeared in 23 games, primarily on special teams.[4][5] He earned a starting spot in 2024, totaling 30 tackles, five pass deflections, and a forced fumble. After the conclusion of the season, Smith entered the NCAA transfer portal.[6]
Notre Dame
Smith transferred to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[7] He played just eight games in 2025 due to injury, recording 20 tackles and three pass deflections. After the conclusion of the season, Smith declared for the NFL draft, while also accepting an invite to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.[8][9]
Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Solo | Ast | Sack | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | TD | |||
| 2021 | Alabama | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Alabama | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Alabama | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Alabama | 12 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 0.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Notre Dame | 8 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 42 | 56 | 40 | 16 | 0.0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+3⁄4 in (1.80 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m) | 4.58 s | 1.58 s | 2.57 s | 4.15 s | 6.91 s | 43.0 in (1.09 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 13 reps |
| All values from Pro Day[10] | ||||||||||||
After not being selected in the 2026 NFL draft, Smith signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.[11]
References
- ↑ Dermer, Shelby (March 16, 2020). "La Salle defensive back Devonta Smith commits to Ohio State Buckeyes football". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Rowland, Kyle (June 25, 2020). "2021 defensive back decommits from Ohio State". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Rodak, Mike. "Another DeVonta Smith at Alabama? 'There's only one Smitty'". AL.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Kaye, Mike. "Carolina Panthers rookie wants to prove NFL wrong. His opportunity is clear-cut". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Stephenson, Creg. "Crimson Tide's 'other' DeVonta Smith still thankful he chose Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Gay, Colin (December 14, 2024). "Alabama football DB DeVonta Smith enters NCAA transfer portal". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Berardino, Mike (December 17, 2024). "Notre Dame football adds Alabama transfer defensive back DeVonta Smith". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Melo, Justin. "DeVonta Smith Forced Teams to Rethink NFL Draft Value After Pro Day". NFL Draft On SI. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Berardino, Mike (January 27, 2026). "How Notre Dame football products fared at East-West Shrine Bowl". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "DeVonta Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ Inabinett, Mark (May 7, 2026). "Another DeVonta Smith enters the NFL". AL.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.