A late-blooming Toledo cornerback who racked up 100 tackles and three interceptions over his final two seasons before signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Avery Smith spent four seasons at Toledo, starting as a reserve and special-teamer before emerging into a full-time starting cornerback known for his instinctive, downhill playing style. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers to compete for a roster spot.
Path to the league
Smith played four seasons at Toledo from 2022 to 2025, spending his first two years as a reserve corner and special-teams contributor before winning a starting job. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, went unselected, and signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
Smith broke out over his final two seasons at Toledo, totaling 100 tackles (71 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 25 passes defensed since 2024. Scouts praised him as an instinctual, downhill corner willing to drive on the ball and read routes quickly.
2025 season recap
In his senior season, Smith continued as a full-time starter in the Toledo secondary, building on the tackle and coverage production that made him a known name on the MAC's radar entering the draft. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent after going unpicked.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Avery Smith
- Bleacher Report: Avery Smith 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Toledo
- Hometown
- East Point, GA, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
