How a two-time champion became a first-round NFL selection

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Nolan Smith entered the NFL with the pedigree of a top-tier recruit and the speed of an elite sprinter. From dominating college football at Georgia to breaking franchise records in the postseason, his journey from high school standout to professional linebacker is a testament to explosive athleticism and high-stakes competition.

Nolan Smith's ascent began at the high school level, where he was recognized as the top player in the country by 247Sports.com and ranked as the 20th best all-time. His performance at IMG Academy and Calvary Day School earned him All-American honors from MaxPreps and a spot on the USA Today All-USA team. This momentum carried into his collegiate career at the University of Georgia, where he secured two CFP national championships. His collegiate tenure was marked by both brilliance and setbacks. During his sophomore season, Smith recorded 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks, including a standout performance against Florida where he secured an interception and a forced fumble within 39 seconds. However, his junior season was cut short on October 29, 2022, when a torn pectoral muscle against Florida ended his campaign.

Despite this, he finished that season with three sacks and 16 quarterback hurries. Smith's elite athleticism was quantified at the 2023 NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, making him the second-fastest defensive lineman since Amaré Barno in 2022. This speed helped propel him to the 30th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. In the postseason, Smith has already made history, recording 4 sacks to surpass Haason Reddick's previous franchise record of 3.5 sacks. His career has been a mix of high-level production and physical challenges, including a torn triceps sustained during a Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

His professional trajectory has seen him evolve from a reserve behind Pro-Bowler Haason Reddick to a key postseason contributor. While injuries, such as a triceps tear and a subsequent aggravation in September 2025, have impacted his availability, his impact on the field remains significant, as evidenced by his 6.5 sacks and 24 QB pressures during the 2024 regular season.

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