Harrison Smith: A Collegiate Career Overview

Harrison Smith, born on February 2, 1989, is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Before his successful NFL career, Smith built a notable foundation during his college years. This article delves into Harrison Smith's college career, highlighting his achievements, statistics, and evolution as a player.

Early Life and High School

In addition to football, Smith also participated in basketball and track. In track, he competed primarily as a jumper. Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was listed as the No.

College Career at Notre Dame

Smith's college football journey began at the University of Notre Dame. After red-shirting as a freshman in 2007, he emerged as a star in 2008.

2008 Season: Emergence as a Sophomore

He began his career at linebacker. In his first year, he started 9 games and recorded 57 tackles, which included 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Smith 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. Also recorded his first career rush on a successful fake punt for 23 yards. Tied then career high in tackles with six (three solos, three assists) including a tackle for a loss at North Carolina. Registered five tackles (three solos, two assists) in victory at Washington. Added his first two career sacks and also ran a fake punt 35 yards vs. the Huskies. Recorded five tackles (four solos, assist) including a tackle for a loss in his fifth career start vs. Pittsburgh. Amassed 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. Credited with five tackles (all solos) and had two pass breakups in Hawai’i Bowl victory.

2009 Season: Transition to Safety/Linebacker

As a junior in 2009, he started six games at strong safety, then strongside linebacker for the final six games. He recorded 69 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss. Smith tallied six tackles including five solo stops in season opener against Nevada. He recorded team-best 11 tackles at Michigan, including one and a half tackles for loss. He registered seven tackles against Michigan State. He switched to linebacker against Boston College and responded with four tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Tied career high with two tackles for loss against Navy. Led Irish with nine tackles at Pittsburgh. Added one tackle for loss and one pass breakup against Panthers. Led front seven and was second on team with 11 tackles against Connecticut.

2010 Season: Standout Performance as a Senior

In 2010, as a senior, he played strong safety where he recorded 93 tackles including a team-high seven interceptions. Smith saw action in all 13 games in 2010. Smith 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. All over the field in the victory over Pittsburgh, he made a career-best 13 tackles, registered a pair of pass breakups and collected an interception against the Panthers. He posted another a 10-tackle game against Navy. He had 10 tackles, three solo, versus the Midshipmen. 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 tackle for loss and totaled five overall stops in the triumph over Army 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. Registered three interceptions in the first half alone in the Hyundai Sun Bowl victory over Miami (Fla.).

2011 Season: Final Year as Team Captain

In 2011, he was accepted to a graduate program at Notre Dame allowing him to play another season. In his final year in 2011, serving as team captain, he played in and started in all 13 games.

Overall College Statistics

Throughout his college career at Notre Dame, Harrison Smith proved to be a versatile and impactful player. Smith 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.

Pre-Draft Analysis and Combine Performance

Coming out of Notre Dame, Smith was projected by the majority of analysts to be a first round draft selection. He was ranked the second best strong safety, behind Alabama's Mark Barron, and the 46th best prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. He was invited to attend the 2012 NFL Combine as a free safety and completed the entire workout and every positional drill. Smith was satisfied enough with his combine performance that he chose to only partake in positional drills at Notre Dame's Pro Day.

He received positive reviews from analysts and scouts for his size, athletic ability, play recognition, intelligence, tackling ability, reaction time, consistency, and production.

Read also: Evaluating Nico Harrison

NFL Career with the Minnesota Vikings

2012 Season: Rookie Year

Entering training camp, Smith competed against Jamarca Sanford and Andrew Sendejo for the starting free safety spot. Smith was named the starting free safety to begin the regular season. He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Vikings' season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the 26-23 victory with seven combined tackles. During the Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Smith was ejected for moving an official out of the way, but the Vikings still got the 30-7 win. In Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, Smith recorded six combined tackles, a pass deflection, and his first career interception off a pass thrown by John Skelton, which he returned for a 31-yard touchdown to seal the Vikings' 21-14 victory. In Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made a season-high 13 combined tackles as the Vikings lost 36-17. In Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, Smith recorded 11 combined tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers as the Vikings lost 23-14. In Week 14 against the Chicago Bears, he recorded seven total tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Jay Cutler that he returned for a 52-yard touchdown in a 21-14 victory, marking his second touchdown of the season. In Week 15 against the St. Louis Rams, Smith had a season-high nine solo tackles and an assisted tackle during a 36-22 win.

2013 Season: Injury and Return

He returned as the starting free safety the following season. In the season-opener against the Detroit Lions, Smith made a season-high ten combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Vikings lost 34-24. The following week, he recorded eight solo tackles and intercepted Jay Cutler for his first of the season. The Vikings went on to lose to the Bears 31-30. In a Week 3 contest against the Cleveland Browns, Smith racked up five solo tackles and intercepted Brian Hoyer in a 31-27 loss to the Browns. On October 18, 2013, Smith was placed on injured-reserve after suffering an injury to his left foot during a Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. On December 14, 2013, after missing 8 games, Smith was activated to the 53-man roster. The next day, he played in his first game since returning and made eight combined tackles in a 48-30 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

2014 Season: Resurgence Under Zimmer

He resumed as the starting free safety under new head coach Mike Zimmer. In the season-opener against the Rams, Smith made two solo tackles, a pass deflection, a sack, and intercepted a pass by Shaun Hill, returning it for an 81-yard touchdown in a 34-6 victory. In Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Matt Ryan in a 41-28 win. The following week, in a Thursday Night Football game against the Packers, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Matt Flynn in a 42-10 loss. On November 2, 2014, he recorded a season-high ten solo tackles in a 29-26 win over the Washington Redskins. In a Week 11 contest, Smith recorded three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Jay Cutler in a 21-13 loss to the Bears. The next game, he deflected a pass, made five solo tackles, and assisted on five tackles, tying his season-high of ten combined tackles in a 24-21 loss to the Packers.

2015 Season: Continued Impact

In the season opener, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles in a 20-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 2, Smith made a season-high six solo tackles in a 26-16 win over the Lions. In Week 4, Smith made three combined tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Peyton Manning in a 23-20 loss to the Denver Broncos, marking Smith's first interception of the season. In Week 16, Smith racked up five combined tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Eli Manning that he returned for a 35-yard touchdown in the Vikings' 49-17 win over the New York Giants. He set a Vikings' franchise record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns in a career. Smith started 13 games for the Vikings in the 2015 season and missed Weeks 12, 14, and 15 due to a knee injury.

2016 Season: Pro Bowl Selection

In the Vikings' season-opener against the Titans, he made eight total tackles in a 25-16 victory. On September 25, 2016, Smith recorded seven combined tackles and sacked Cam Newton for his first of the season, in a 22-10 win against the Panthers. In a Week 11 matchup against the Cardinals, Smith recorded a season-high ten combined tackles and sacked Carson Palmer in a 30-24 victory. Smith missed Weeks 14 and 15 with a high ankle sprain that was initially thought to possibly be a season-ending injury that required surgery. On December 24, 2016, he returned in a 38-25 loss to the Packers and made four solo tackles. He finished the season with 91 tackles, two sacks, and two deflected passes in 14 starts. On December 20, 2016, the NFL announced that Smith and fellow Vikings Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson had been voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl.

2017 Season: All-Pro Recognition

Smith would have what would be considered the best season of his career in 2017. Smith was graded the third-best player in the NFL by Pro Football Focus (PFF). His season grade of 98.8 was also the highest among safeties in PFF history. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl on January 22, 2018, and was named first-team All-Pro. In Week 1, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo, while also recording a sack and a touchdown-saving fumble recovery off running back Alfred Morris to go along with 7 tackles in the team's 24-16 win over the 49ers, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

2018 Season

In week 5 against the Eagles, Smith had 4 tackles and sealed the game with a big hit late in the 4th quarter to prevent a third-down conversion. In Week 7 against the New York Jets, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Sam Darnold, while also recording 4 tackles and 2 passes defended in the Vikings' 37-17 win. In the following game against the New Orleans Saints, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Drew Brees, which was Brees' first interception of the season, but the Vikings would lose 30-20.

2019 Season

NFL rushing leader Cook leads Vikes romp past Raiders 34-14. Defense delivers as Vikings sail past Lions 20-7. Minnesota takes advantage of 7 Chargers turnovers in victory. Packers clinch NFC North with 23-10 win over Vikings.

2020 Season

In Week 3 against the Titans, Smith recorded his first interception of the season off Ryan Tannehill during the 31-30 loss. In Week 4 against the Texans, Smith was ejected after initiating a helmet to helmet hit on tight end Jordan Akins.

2021 Season

On August 29, 2021, Smith signed a four-year contract extension with the Vikings worth $64 million. To start the season, Smith recorded a sack on Joe Burrow in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. On November 7, 2021, Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after a positive test, which resulted in him missing the following two games as an unvaccinated player. After being activated from the Reserve/COVID list, Smith posted either a sack or an interception in three games between Weeks 11-14.

2022 Season

To start the 2022 season, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers in a 23-7 win over the Packers. The following week, Smith recorded a season-high 13 tackles, all of which were solo, in a 24-7 loss to the Eagles. From Weeks 6-9, Smith recorded three consecutive games with an interception.

2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Smith played in 16 games.

tags: #harrison #smith #college #career #stats