An ACC sack artist out of SMU who led the conference in tackles for loss before signing with Carolina as an undrafted free agent.
Isaiah Smith is a rookie edge rusher/linebacker with the Carolina Panthers who put together a standout final season at SMU before going undrafted in 2026. The Washington, D.C. native and St. John's College High School product built a track record of rising sack totals every year he was on campus.
Path to the league
Smith came out of St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. and developed steadily through four seasons at SMU, an ACC program since 2024. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Panthers as a free agent shortly after.
Career highlights
Smith's sack production climbed every season at SMU, from 3 as a freshman to 5, then 6.5, before an 8.5-sack breakout as a senior. In 2025 he led the ACC in tackles for loss with 18.0 and ranked fourth in the conference in sacks, earning All-ACC Second Team honors and an American Bowl selection.
2025 season recap
In his final college season, Smith started 12 of 13 games and posted 53 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, including a career-best 3.5-sack game against Boston College. That performance capped his college career and set up his path to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
Sources
- SMU Athletics: Isaiah Smith
- ESPN: Isaiah Smith
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- SMU
- Hometown
- Washington, DC, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
