CS #90

Chris Smith

Defensive Tackle · Notre Dame

A Detroit native who fought his way from Ivy League obscurity to the Lions' defensive line.

Chris Smith is a defensive tackle who took the long way to the NFL, starting his college career in the Ivy League before finishing it at Notre Dame. Now with his hometown Detroit Lions, Smith has carved out a role through practice-squad grinding and special teams contributions rather than a high draft slot.

★ First-team All-Ivy League selection at Harvard (2021)

★ 37 reps on 225-pound bench press at Notre Dame's Pro Day, an elite strength mark

★ Signed as an undrafted free agent by his hometown Detroit Lions

Path to the league

Smith spent four years at Harvard, where he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors as a senior after posting 44 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2021. He then transferred to Notre Dame for a final season of eligibility in 2022, appearing in 13 games. He went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft but signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, staying home in Michigan to chase his pro career.

Career highlights

At Notre Dame's Pro Day, Smith benched 225 pounds for 37 reps, a number that would have ranked among the best of any defensive lineman at that year's NFL Scouting Combine. He made his NFL debut on September 7, 2024, against the Los Angeles Rams, recording a tackle on eight defensive snaps.

2025 season recap

Smith continued to work as a depth piece on Detroit's defensive line, cycling between the active roster and practice squad. His playing time has come primarily in short bursts on early downs and special teams rather than as a regular rotational starter.