Keidron Smith
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Keidron Smith
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number =43
| current_team = Denver Broncos
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|1}}
| birth_place = Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 210
| high_school = Oxbridge Academy {{nowrap|(West Palm Beach, Florida)}}
| college =
{{ubl
| Ole Miss (2018–2021)
| Kentucky (2022)
}}
| undraftedyear = 2023
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Reserve/future
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 7
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 =
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 =
| pfr = SmitKe05
}}
Keidron Ameer Smith ({{IPAc-en|k|iː|ˈ|d|r|ɑː|n}} {{respell|kee|DRAHN}};{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jon |date=2024-08-31 |title=Broncos name pronunciation guide for 2024 NFL season |url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2024/08/31/denver-broncos-name-pronunciation-guide-2024-nfl-season/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=Broncos Wire |language=}} born November 1, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcats and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|2023}}. He has also been a member of the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.
Early life
Smith was born on November 1, 1999, in Boca Raton, Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitKe05.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Keidron Smith Stats}} He grew up in West Palm Beach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/08/14/keidron-smith-undrafted-rookie-for-miami-dolphins-making-plays/70587826007/|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=Dolphins safety/cornerback Keidron Smith of West Palm Beach emerges as roster sleeper|author=Schad, Joe|date=August 14, 2023}} He attended Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, where he was a standout football and basketball player.{{Cite web|url=https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/keidron-smith/3295|publisher=Ole Miss Rebels|title=Keidron Smith}} He helped Oxbridge reach the state championship game as a senior and finished with career totals of seven interceptions and five touchdowns. He was named The Palm Beach Post's 2017 defensive player of the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/05/17/oxbridges-keidron-smith-fires-up-family-with-bid-to-make-dolphins/70220819007/|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=Oxbridge's Keidron Smith, on bid to make Dolphins roster: ‘I have the ability'|author=Habib, Hal|date=May 17, 2023}} In basketball, he scored over 1,000 points in his career. A three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/local-db-keidron-smith-once-195500164.html|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|via=Yahoo! Sports|title=Local DB Keidron Smith, once a roster long shot, making noise in Dolphins camp|date=August 14, 2023|author=Furones, David}}
College career
As a freshman at Ole Miss in 2018, Smith appeared in all 12 games while recording 47 tackles and four pass breakups. He started eight games in 2019 as a sophomore, totaling 48 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and a team-leading eight pass breakups. In 2020, he played in 10 games and recorded 64 tackles, six passes defended and an interception.{{Cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/04/22/keidron-smith-ole-miss-db-transfers-kentucky-football/7354433001/|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|title=What to know about Ole Miss transfer Keidron Smith, new Kentucky football defensive back|author=Hale, Jon|date=April 22, 2022}} For the 2021 season, Smith switched his position from cornerback to safety. He started seven games while appearing in all 13 in 2021, ending with 64 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three pass breakups and two interceptions.{{Cite web|url=https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/keidron-smith/|publisher=Kentucky Wildcats|title=Keidron Smith}} He won the Chucky Mullins Courage Award for being the "Ole Miss upperclassman defensive player that embodies the spirit of Mullins – courage, leadership, perseverance, and determination".
Smith entered the NCAA transfer portal following the 2021 season, using an extra year of eligibility granted to all players due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He ended his stint at Ole Miss having made 224 tackles, 21 passes defended, five interceptions and five forced fumbles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/olemiss/football/ole-miss-defensive-back-keidron-smith-enters-transfer-portal|website=Sports Illustrated|title=Ole Miss Defensive Back Keidron Smith Enters Transfer Portal|date=January 19, 2022|author=King, Ben}} He ultimately transferred to the Kentucky Wildcats for his final season of college football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/08/15/kentucky-football-ole-miss-transfer-keidron-smith-contributor/65398673007/|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|title=Kentucky football needs Keidron Smith to be a contributor at corner — and a mentor|date=August 15, 2022|author=Dawson, Brett}} With the Wildcats, he played all 13 games, 12 as a starter, and recorded 46 tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions, being named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC).{{Cite news|url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/21/dolphins-udfa-player-profile-keidron-smith/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Dolphins Wire UDFA Player Profile: S Keidron Smith|date=May 21, 2023|author=Sarney, Jason}} At the conclusion of his collegiate career, he was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and after impressing there, was selected for the 2023 Senior Bowl.{{Cite news|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/01/31/the-dolphins-need-cornerback-depth-keidron-smith-of-kentucky/69856932007/|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|date=January 31, 2023|title=Keidron Smith of Kentucky, West Palm Beach and Oxbridge Academy brings 'chip' to Senior Bowl|author=Schad, Joe}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2
| weight = 201
| dash = 4.61
| ten split = 1.64
| twenty split = 2.59
| shuttle = 4.31
| cone drill = 7.19
| vertical = 36.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 6
| bench = 14
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 9 1/4
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1027955&DraftYear=2023 |title=Keidron Smith College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=September 29, 2024}}
}}
=Miami Dolphins=
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/football/report-keidron-smith-signing-udfa-deal-miami-dolphins|website=Sports Illustrated|title=Report: Keidron Smith Signing UDFA Deal With Miami Dolphins|author=Shelton, Hunter|date=April 30, 2023}} Although he was reported to have impressed in preseason, he was released on August 28, 2023, as part of the final roster cuts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-8-28-23|publisher=Miami Dolphins|date=August 28, 2023|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves }}
=Washington Commanders=
On September 6, 2023, Smith signed with the practice squad of the Washington Commanders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2023/09_transactions.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=2023 NFL September Transactions}} He was released from the practice squad on August 9.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/09/darrick-forrest-jeremy-reaves-ir/|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=The Commanders’ secondary has struggled. Now it’s down a top player.|date=October 9, 2023|author=Fortier, Sam; Jhabvala, Nicki}}
=Denver Broncos=
Smith signed with the Denver Broncos practice squad on December 19, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-db-keidron-smith-to-practice-squad|publisher=Denver Broncos|title=Broncos sign DB Keidron Smith to practice squad |author=DiLalla, Aric|date=December 19, 2023}} He was released on December 26, to make room for the waived Kareem Jackson, but was re-signed one day later after Jackson was claimed by the Houston Texans.{{Cite news|url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2023/12/28/why-the-denver-broncos-re-signed-safety-one-day-after-cutting-him/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Why the Broncos re-signed a safety one day after cutting him|date=December 28, 2023|author=Heath, Jon}} He signed a reserve/future contract after the season, on January 9, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/01_transactions.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=2024 NFL January Transactions}} After impressing in the 2024 preseason, he made the team's 53-man roster on August 27.{{Cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2024/08/26/broncos-cardinals-roster-keidron-smith-jordan-jackson/|newspaper=The Denver Post|url-access=subscription|date=August 26, 2024|title=Broncos stock report: In final audition, Keidron Smith, Jordan Jackson strengthen cases for roster spots vs. Cardinals|author=McFadden, Ryan}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/first-look-at-the-broncos-2024-initial-53-man-roster|publisher=Denver Broncos|title=First look at the Broncos' 2024 initial 53-man roster |author=DiLalla, Aric|date=August 27, 2024}} He was waived on November 12, and signed to the practice squad two days later.{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=2024-11-12 |title=Broncos waive DB Keidron Smith |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-waive-db-keidron-smith |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=Denver Broncos}}{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jon |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Broncos bring back recently-cut safety on practice squad |url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/14/broncos-news-db-keidron-smith-signs-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |website=Broncos Wire|publisher=USA Today}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2025.{{cite web|title=Broncos sign 13 players to future contracts|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-13-players-to-future-contracts|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=January 13, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Denver Broncos roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Keidron}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:Players of American football from Boca Raton, Florida
Category:Players of American football from Florida
Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players
Category:Kentucky Wildcats football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players