Nolan Sental Smith

Player name: Nolan Sental Smith

Position: Outside Linebacker

Rating: 87.8 (All-Pro)

Height: 6ft 2in

Weight: 238 lbs

Date of Birth: January 18, 2001 (22 years)

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia, USA

College program: Georgia Bulldogs

Arm Length: 32 5/8 in

Hand Length: 9in

Nolan Smith's Playing Style

Despite his smaller build, Nolan Smith is a tough edge defender who can hold his own against larger opponents. While one might assume that his slim frame would make him better suited for rushing plays rather than defending against runs, that’s not the case for the linebacker. Thanks to his excellent technique and leverage, Smith is difficult to displace from his position, and he can create disruptions when he charges through gaps.

Although Nolan Smith is quick off the line of scrimmage as a pass rusher, he does not possess the necessary counters and contact balance to consistently pressure the quarterback. A good number of football analysts and enthusiasts may view his size as inadequate for a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, Smith is a team player who employs quality techniques on defense, which should adequately aid in his transition to the professional level.

Personal life of Nolan Smith

Nolan Smith was born in Savannah, Georgia in early 2001. The Georgia Bulldog linebacker grew up with his mother Chakeima Thompson in his hometown. Despite her son becoming well-known across the United States, Chakeima has continued to live a private life with her social media accounts restricted from the general public.

Smith was raised alongside his three brothers by their mother. Chakeima catered for her family, working at the Savannah Enmark petrol station. Nolan Smith is never shy to talk about how his mother instilled discipline and self-belief in him and his brothers, as well as being a huge source of inspiration to him and his success in football.

The linebacker grew up in Savannah with the big dream of making it to the NFL one day. He invested a larger percentage of his time learning about football tactics and styles, believing the only key to success is hard work. He is reportedly in a relationship with Aubrey Deitch, an Ashland native who also attends the University of Georgia.

Nolan Smith’s High School Career

Nolan commenced his high school career at the IMG Academy and later switched to spend two years at the Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia. He was an excellent player during his high school period, catching the attention of many. This adequately helped position him as the country’s best linebacker prospect in high school football.

Smith was decorated with a number of honors and awards as a high school player. He was widely compared to the Los Angeles Chargers’ outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The linebacker at high school had the honor of being rated the number one player by a number of news outlets after achieving 88 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 15 games.

Upon reaching his senior year, he was honored with a spot on the USA Today All-USA high school football team and was also recognized as a first-team All-American by MaxPreps. Growing up in the state of Georgia, Smith has had an age-long dream of attending the University of Georgia to play for the Bulldogs. He wasted no time in committing to the college to play in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA.

Nolan Smith’s College Career

The IMG Academy product brought down the energy of high school to College football. He recorded 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games as a freshman for the Bulldogs. Smith was a co-winner of the Defensive Newcomer of the Year in his debut season for the University of Georgia.

During his sophomore season in 2020, Nolan Smith participated in 10 games and played a total of 180 snaps for the Bulldogs. He contributed to the team's efforts with 11 tackles and 8 assists. In terms of pass rushing, Smith generated 17 quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks throughout the season.

During his junior year in 2021, Nolan Smith appeared in 14 games and played a significant role in 499 snaps for the Bulldogs. He registered 31 tackles, 25 assists, and 3.5 sacks. His performance in the 2021 season was marked with excellence. The easy-going outside linebacker was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy. He also ended the 2021 season having earned the first interception in his career within 39 seconds.

Nolan Smith’s Net Worth

Aided by his NIL deals, Nolan Smith is estimated to be worth $186,000. The outside linebacker’s net worth has grown significantly since he signed his first endorsement deal as a college player in 2022.

Nolan Smith’s Contract

Signing his first in 2022, the linebacker now has a NIL endorsement deal with a number of companies in the United States. This includes Candy Digital, Georgia Peanut Commission, DoorDash, Life+STYLE by Laura, and Pups Day Out Football Camp.

Nolan Smith’s Tackles Stats

Georgia Bulldogs

Scouting Report of Nolan Smith

Strengths

• Nolan Smith possesses excellent coverage skills, especially when surveying the backfield.

• He has the impressive ability to launch a moderate attack on the edge at full speed and can reach out to make tackles.

• Nolan Smith displays exceptional awareness when working off blockers and is skilled at adapting his moves and countering as the play develops.

• His remarkable agility and rapid change of direction enable him to effectively employ both inside and outside stick moves to gain an advantage over his opponents.

• Nolan Smith consistently maintains his focus on the ball carrier and does not get distracted from his task at hand.

Weaknesses

• Nolan Smith has had some injury issues have missed playing time in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This brings some concern about his fitness.

• He has a slender build through his waist and hips and could benefit from adding more mass to his frame.

• Nolan Smith often struggles on many occasions to generate speed-to-power conversions in his pass-rush moves.

• When Nolan Smith charges forward, it is always necessary for someone to provide coverage in his absence as he often leaves the defense open.

• Nolan Smith's pass rush can be easily disrupted by a well-timed punch from a tackle, as it can square him up and throw him off balance.

Nolan Smith's NFL Combine Stats

40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds

10-yard split: 1.52 seconds

20-yard split: 2.51 seconds

Vertical Jump: 41.5 inches

Broad Jump: 10 feet, 8 inches