Nolan Smith Jr. is an edge rusher for the Philadelphia Eagles and a two-time national champion out of Georgia.
Nolan Smith Jr. is a former Georgia Bulldogs edge defender whom the Eagles drafted late in the first round in 2023. A two-time College Football Playoff national champion, he broke out in 2024 before injuries slowed his 2025 campaign. Philadelphia views him as a key piece of its pass rush.
Path to the league
Smith was a two-time CFP national champion at Georgia, where he developed into one of the most explosive edge rushers in college football. The Eagles selected him with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Smith posted a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024, a breakout that established him as a central figure in Philadelphia's defensive front. Sports Illustrated listed him among the Eagles' most important players heading into 2025.
2025 season
Smith's 2025 season was derailed in part by an arm injury that cost him roughly seven weeks, limiting his ability to build on his breakout year. In May 2026 he was arrested in Georgia and accused of driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone; he posted bond and was released, per multiple reports.
Sources
- SI: Nolan Smith Listed as One of Philadelphia Eagles' Most Important Players for 2025
- ESPN: Nolan Smith Jr. player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
12 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | eagles | 12 | 31 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | eagles | 16 | 42 | 21 | 6.5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | eagles | 17 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Georgia
- Hometown
- Savannah, GA, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
Latest news about Nolan Smith Jr.
All news →Eagles Sign AJ Epenesa, Months After the Browns Walked Away From a Deal
Philadelphia adds the veteran edge rusher to its rotation after Cleveland declined to finalize an agreed-upon contract following his physical in March.
Eagles' Nolan Smith arrested in Georgia after being clocked at 135 mph
The 2023 first-round pick was charged with reckless driving and speeding on Interstate 16 in Twiggs County. He has been released on bond.
