Not to be confused with the Eagles star of the same name, this DeVonta Smith is a cornerback who left Alabama for a shortened but productive Notre Dame finale.
DeVonta Smith is a rookie cornerback with the Carolina Panthers, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026 after a college career split between Alabama and Notre Dame. The Cincinnati native spent his first four seasons largely on special teams in Tuscaloosa before finally getting extended run in South Bend.
Path to the league
Smith attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati and originally committed to Ohio State before flipping to Alabama. After four years with the Crimson Tide, he transferred to Notre Dame for his final college season. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with Carolina as a free agent.
Career highlights
Smith appeared in 23 games at Alabama from 2021 to 2023, mostly on special teams, before earning a starting role in 2024 and recording 30 tackles, five pass deflections and a forced fumble. Across his college career he totaled 56 tackles, eight pass deflections and an interception.
2025 season recap
In his only season at Notre Dame, injuries limited Smith to eight games, five of them starts, in which he recorded 20 tackles, one for loss, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. Despite the shortened season, his athletic testing at Notre Dame's pro day, including a 4.55-second 40-yard dash and elite agility numbers, helped him land an NFL opportunity.
Sources
- Wikipedia: DeVonta Smith (cornerback)
- ESPN: DeVonta Smith
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Notre Dame
- Hometown
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
