Eric Smith (offensive lineman)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Eric Smith
| image = NASA Commercialization Training Camp - 12.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Smith in 2020
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|9|2}}
| birth_place = Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 321
| high_school = Columbia (Decatur, Georgia)
| college = Virginia (2013–2016)
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams = * Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2017}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 4
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 =
| pfr = S/SmitEr00
| cflstatus = American
}}
Eric Maurice Smith Jr.{{cite book |url=https://majorevents.virginia.edu/sites/majorevents2017.virginia.edu/files/2017%20Finals%20Program%20Web%20Version.pdf |title=One Hundred and Eighty-Eighth Final Exercises |date=May 21, 2017 |page=26 |publisher=University of Virginia |accessdate=February 12, 2021}} (born September 2, 1995) is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He played college football at Virginia.
Early life
Smith attended Columbia High School in Decatur, Georgia, where he was a three-star prospect. He committed to attend the University of Virginia in 2012.
College career
Smith started in 32 games at the right tackle position for Virginia.{{Cite web |url=http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/eric_smith_853662.html |title=Smith career at Virginia |access-date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810211720/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/eric_smith_853662.html |url-status=dead }} He graduated with a B.A. degree in May 2017.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 3/8
| weight = 312
| dash = 5.39
| ten split = 1.82
| twenty split = 3.12
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical = 23.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 4
| bench = 26
| arm span = 34 3/4
| hand span = 9 3/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=128137&DraftYear=2017 |title=2017 Draft Scout Eric Smith, Virginia NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=May 30, 2022}}
}}
=Miami Dolphins=
Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017.{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Sign 14 Undrafted College Free Agents|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/PRESS-RELEASE-Dolphins-Sign-14-Undrafted-College-Free-Agents/a138d80e-5a2a-4ece-aa9b-83b504af9901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620001842/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/PRESS-RELEASE-Dolphins-Sign-14-Undrafted-College-Free-Agents/a138d80e-5a2a-4ece-aa9b-83b504af9901|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2018|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=May 5, 2017}} After an impressive preseason, Smith made Miami's 53-man roster as a backup right tackle. He was placed on injured reserve on October 3, 2017.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Miami-Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/efef1639-c78c-41a5-8943-2c36bd597c8a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208083920/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Miami-Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/efef1639-c78c-41a5-8943-2c36bd597c8a|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 8, 2018|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=October 3, 2017}} He was activated off injured reserve to the active roster on December 20, 2017.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Miami-Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/79440bbe-b543-4bcb-8c2e-08cdf7c43fcd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223024449/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Miami-Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/79440bbe-b543-4bcb-8c2e-08cdf7c43fcd|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2018|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=December 20, 2017}}
On September 1, 2018, Smith was waived by the Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-1|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=September 1, 2018}}
=New England Patriots=
On September 3, 2018, Smith was signed to the New England Patriots' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Patriots Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-roster-moves|website=Patriots.com|date=September 4, 2018}}
=New York Jets (first stint)=
On December 18, 2018, Smith was signed by the New York Jets off the Patriots practice squad.{{cite web|title=Jets Place WR Rishard Matthews on Injured Reserve, Sign T Eric Smith|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-wr-rishard-matthews-on-injured-reserve-sign-t-eric-smith|author=Allen, Eric|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=December 18, 2018|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702172834/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-wr-rishard-matthews-on-injured-reserve-sign-t-eric-smith|url-status=dead}} He was waived on August 31, 2019.{{cite web|title=Jets Announce 38 Moves to Get Down to 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-announce-38-moves-to-get-down-to-53-man-roster|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 31, 2019}}
=New York Giants (first stint)=
On September 1, 2019, Smith was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.{{cite web |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/01/new-york-giants-waive-ot-brian-mihalik/ |title=Giants waive OT Brian Mihalik |website=USA Today |date=September 1, 2019 |access-date=September 2, 2019}}
On September 5, 2020, Smith was waived by the Giants.{{cite web|title=New York Giants announce 53-man roster|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-roster-2020-nfl-season-new-york-announce-53-man-roster-joe-judge|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=September 5, 2020}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On September 9, 2020, Smith was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.{{cite news |author=Bouda, Nate |title=Cowboys Sign RB Elijah McGuire & T Eric Smith To Practice Squad |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/cowboys-sign-rb-elijah-mcguire-t-eric-smith-to-practice-squad/ |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |date=September 9, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on September 19 and September 26 for the team's weeks 2 and 3 games against the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{cite web|title=Anthony Brown To IR; OT Signed From P. Squad|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/anthony-brown-to-ir-ot-signed-from-p-squad|author=Helman, David|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 19, 2020}}{{cite tweet |user=DallasCowboysPR |title=On Saturday, the @dallascowboys made the following transactions:- Placed CB Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado) on Reserve/Injured- Signed CB Saivion Smith (Alabama) to the active roster- Elevated CB Deante Burton (Kansas State) and T Eric Smith (Virginia) to the active roster |number=1309927770563244033 |date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 4, 2021.{{cite news |title=Jan. 4 Updates |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-january-2021 |website=DallasCowboys.com |date=January 4, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2021}}
On August 31, 2021, Smith was waived by the Cowboys.{{cite web|title=Cowboys Make 28 Moves; Roster Cut Down To 53|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-make-28-moves-to-set-initial-53-man-roster|author=Phillips, Rob|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 31, 2021}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On September 7, 2021, Smith was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.{{cite web|title=Cardinals release rookie OL Michal Menet, sign OT Eric Smith|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/2807716/cardinals-release-rookie-ol-michal-menet-sign-ot-eric-smith/|website=ArizonaSports.com|date=September 7, 2021}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on January 19, 2022.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Sign 15 Players To 'Futures' Contracts|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-15-players-to-futures-contracts-2022|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=January 19, 2022}} He was waived on August 4, 2022.{{cite web|title=Cardinals sign Marcell Ateman|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/04/cardinals-sign-marcell-ateman/amp/|website=NBCSports.com|date=August 4, 2022}}
=New York Giants (second stint)=
On August 7, 2022, the Giants signed Smith.{{cite web|title=Roster moves - Giants sign OT Eric Smith, per reports |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2022/8/7/23296011/2022-ny-giants-training-camp-roster-moves-sign-ot-eric-smith-report-news|author=Pflum, Chris|website=Bigblueview.com|date=August 7, 2022}} He was waived on August 29.{{cite web|title=Giants waive 7 players ahead of roster deadline|url=https://www.giants.com/news/roster-moves-training-camp-2022-season-53-man-deadline-brian-daboll|website=Giants.com|date=August 29, 2022}}
=New York Jets (second stint)=
On September 6, 2022, Smith signed with the practice squad of the Jets.{{cite web | last=Greenberg | first=Ethan | title=Jets Sign 3 Players to Practice Squad | website=New York Jets | date=2022-09-06 | url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-3-players-to-practice-squad-x3106 | access-date=2025-01-25}} He was released on October 18.
=Tennessee Titans=
On October 24, 2022, Smith was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad. He was released on November 15.{{cite web|title=Titans Promote LB Joe Schobert, DL Larrell Murchison to Team's 53-Man Roster While Placing CB Caleb Farley on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-promote-lb-joe-schobert-dl-larrell-murchison-to-team-s-53-man-roster-whil|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=November 15, 2022}} He was re-signed to the practice squad six days later.{{cite web|title=Titans Waive K Josh Lambo, Add Two to Practice Squad|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-waive-k-josh-lambo-add-two-to-practice-squad|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=November 21, 2022}} On December 6, the Titans released Smith.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-several-roster-moves-on-53-man-roster-practice-squad|title=Titans Make Several Roster Moves on 53-Man Roster, Practice Squad|date=December 6, 2022|accessdate=December 6, 2022|first=Jim|last=Wyatt|work=TennesseeTitans.com}}
=New York Jets (third stint)=
On December 14, 2022, Smith was signed to the Jets' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Jets Sign OL Eric Smith to Practice Squad|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-ol-eric-smith-to-practice-squad|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=December 14, 2022}} He was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2023.{{cite web|title=Jets Place 5 on Injured Reserve, Sign 5 to Active Roster for Season Finale vs. Dolphins|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-5-on-injured-reserve-sign-5-to-active-roster-for-season-finale-vs-dol|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=January 7, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110024045/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-5-on-injured-reserve-sign-5-to-active-roster-for-season-finale-vs-dol|url-status=dead}} He was released on May 30, 2023.
= Calgary Stampeders =
On April 12, 2024, Smith signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{Cite web |title=Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings |url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}} He started five games at left tackle in 2024 and spent the rest of the season on the practice roster. On March 10, 2025, Smith announced his retirement from the CFL.{{cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2025/03/10/calgary-stampeders-ol-eric-smith-retires-at-29/|title=Calgary Stampeders OL Eric Smith retires at 29|website=3DownNation|date=March 10, 2025|access-date=March 23, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/eric_smith_853662.html Virginia Cavaliers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810211720/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/eric_smith_853662.html |date=August 10, 2017 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Eric}}
Category:Players of American football from Decatur, Georgia
Category:Virginia Cavaliers football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Calgary Stampeders players
Category:American football offensive linemen
Category:Canadian football offensive linemen
Category:Players of Canadian football from Georgia (U.S. state)