A Division II All-American at Southern Arkansas who parlayed a strong Senior Bowl showing into a Chiefs roster spot.
Melvin Smith Jr. is a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs who made the leap from Division II Southern Arkansas to the NFL after a decorated four-year college career. He turned heads at the Senior Bowl before signing with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent.
Path to the league
Smith starred at Airline High School in Bossier City, Louisiana, before becoming a four-year starting defensive back at Southern Arkansas from 2021 to 2024. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Career highlights
Smith was twice named First Team All-GAC in 2023 and 2024, and earned First Team Division II All-American honors in 2023 followed by Second Team All-American honors in 2024. He finished his college career with 168 tackles, 9 interceptions, and 46 pass breakups, and also returned kicks, including a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in 2024.
2025 season recap
Smith signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in April 2025 after an invitation to the Senior Bowl, then spent the year developing on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in late December 2025.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Melvin Smith (American football)
- Arrowhead Pride: Chiefs Roster - Melvin Smith Jr.
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Southern Arkansas
- Hometown
- Bossier City, LA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
