Za’Darius Smith, born on September 8, 1992, is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He began his college football career at East Mississippi Community College before transferring to the University of Kentucky. Smith was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and has since played for the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.
Za’Darius Smith Biography 2024
Smith spent two years at East Mississippi Community College, where he recorded 66 tackles and 11 sacks. He then transferred to the University of Kentucky, starting all 12 games in his first year and achieving 59 tackles and six sacks, ranking seventh in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In his senior season in 2014, he tallied 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Za’Darius Smith Biography Details
| Born: | September 8, 1992 (age 32)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
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| Weight: | 270 lb (122 kg) |
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Za’Darius Smith Early Life
Smith grew up in Greenville, Alabama, where he attended Greenville High School. Although he played basketball during his high school years, he didn’t start playing football until his senior year.
Career Overview
Player Name | Za’Darius Smith |
Current Team | Cleveland Browns |
Position | Defensive End |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 270 lb (122 kg) |
NFL Draft | 2015 / Round: 4 / Pick: 122 |
Pro Bowl Selections | 3 (2019, 2020, 2022) |
All-Pro Honors | 2nd Team (2020) |
Career Tackles | 298 |
Career Sacks | 60.0 |
Early Life
Attribute | Information |
Birthplace | Montgomery, Alabama |
High School | Greenville High School |
Initial Sport | Basketball |
Football Start Year | Senior Year |
College Career
Institution | Years Attended |
East Mississippi CC | 2011-2012 |
University of Kentucky | 2013-2014 |
Performance
College Performance | Total Stats |
Total Tackles | 119 |
Total Sacks | 11 |
Notable Stats | 66 tackles, 11 sacks at EMCC |
Professional Career
Team | Duration |
Baltimore Ravens | 2015-2018 |
Green Bay Packers | 2019-2021 |
Minnesota Vikings | 2022 |
Cleveland Browns | 2023-present |
Baltimore Ravens
Season | Notable Statistics |
2015 | 30 tackles, 5.5 sacks |
2016 | 20 tackles, 1 sack |
2017 | 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks |
2018 | 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks |
Green Bay Packers
Year | Performance Highlights |
2019 | 55 tackles, 13.5 sacks |
2020 | 52 tackles, 12.5 sacks |
2021 | Limited appearances due to injury |
Minnesota Vikings
Year | Impact Performance |
2022 | 44 tackles, 10 sacks |
Cleveland Browns
Year | Performance Highlights |
2023 | 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks |
Legal Issues
Incident | Summary |
2019 Marijuana Citation | Cited for possession and speeding |
Outcome | Charges dismissed in 2020 |
NFL Career Statistics
Year | Games Played | Total Tackles | Total Sacks |
2015 | 15 | 30 | 5.5 |
2016 | 13 | 20 | 1.0 |
2017 | 14 | 24 | 3.5 |
2018 | 16 | 45 | 8.5 |
2019 | 16 | 55 | 13.5 |
2020 | 16 | 52 | 12.5 |
2021 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 |
2022 | 16 | 44 | 10.0 |
2023 | 16 | 27 | 5.5 |
Postseason Performance
Year | Total Tackles | Total Sacks |
2018 | 1 | 0.0 |
2019 | 7 | 2.0 |
2020 | 5 | 1.0 |
2021 | 1 | 1.0 |
2022 | 3 | 0.0 |
2023 | 1 | 0.0 |
Za’Darius Smith Net Worth
His net worth is estimated to be around $20 million USD.
Za’Darius Smith Summary
Za’Darius Smith’s rise in the NFL illustrates the power of hard work and perseverance. His journey from a latecomer to football to a standout defensive player reflects his talent and dedication. As he continues to play for the Cleveland Browns, fans and analysts eagerly watch his performance, anticipating further contributions to his team’s success. Smith’s story serves as a motivational example for aspiring athletes everywhere, highlighting that with commitment, one can achieve their dreams.
