Brandon Smith (linebacker)

Brandon Nathaniel Smith (born April 12, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Brandon Smith

Smith with the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2021
Personal information
Born:	(2001-04-12) April 12, 2001 (age 24) Henrico, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
Position:	Linebacker
High school:	Louisa County (Louisa, Virginia)
College:	Penn State (2019–2021)
NFL draft:	2022: 4th round, 120th pick
Career history
Carolina Panthers (2022) Philadelphia Eagles (2023–2024) New York Jets (2024)* Las Vegas Raiders (2024)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-Big Ten (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 9 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Smith attended Louisa County High School in Louisa, Virginia.^[1] As a senior in 2018, he was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Virginia.^[2] He appeared in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game.^[3] Smith committed to Penn State University to play college football.^[4]

College career

As a true freshman at Penn State in 2019, Smith appeared in 13 games and had 13 tackles.^[5] As a sophomore in 2020, he started all nine games, recording 37 tackles, two sacks and one interception.^[6] Smith returned as a starter his junior season in 2021.^[7][8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m)	250 lb (113 kg)	34+5⁄8 in (0.88 m)	10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m)	4.52 s	1.58 s	2.62 s	4.08 s	6.94 s	37.5 in (0.95 m)	10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)	20 reps
Sources:[9][10]

Carolina Panthers

Smith was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.^[11] He was waived on August 29, 2023.^[12]

Philadelphia Eagles

On October 12, 2023, Smith was signed to the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.^[13] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2024.^[14]

Smith was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[15][16] He was released on September 10.^[17]

New York Jets

On September 24, 2024, Smith was signed to the New York Jets practice squad.^[18] He was released on October 2.^[19]

Las Vegas Raiders

Smith was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on December 4, 2024.^[20] He signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 6, 2025.^[21] On May 12, Smith was waived by the Raiders.^[22]