Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith Bio

Roquan Daevon Smith (born April 8, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). A product of the University of Georgia football program, Smith became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award, recognizing him as the top linebacker in college football. The Chicago Bears selected him eighth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has since established himself as one of the premier linebackers in professional football. Smith has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors while playing for both the Bears and the Ravens. In January 2023, he signed a landmark five-year, $100 million contract extension with Baltimore, making him the highest-paid linebacker in the league at the time.

Early Life and Background

Roquan Smith was born on April 8, 1997, in Marshallville, Georgia, a small town in Macon County. Smith was introduced to organized football at the age of six. During his youth football years, his coaches had to keep a copy of his birth certificate on file to dispute claims that he was too old to play, a testament to his physical readiness and competitive nature from an early age. He attended Macon County High School in Montezuma, Georgia, where he played football for the Bulldogs, developing the skills that would carry him to the next level.

Smith originally committed to play college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but he later changed his commitment to the University of Georgia. This decision proved pivotal, as Georgia’s football program was entering a period of sustained excellence under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart.

Path to the NFL

During his true freshman season at Georgia in 2015, Smith played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles, showing glimpses of his future potential. As a sophomore in 2016, he started 10 of 13 games and recorded 95 tackles, demonstrating consistent improvement and earning increased playing time. His junior season in 2017 represented his breakout campaign, as he established himself as one of the most dominant defenders in college football.

Smith was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game in 2017 and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press. Most notably, he became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award, cementing his legacy as the top linebacker in college football. He also achieved unanimous All-American status and earned First-team All-SEC recognition. Following his stellar junior season, Smith made the decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.

Roquan Smith Career

Chicago Bears (2018–2022)

The Chicago Bears selected Smith with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His contract negotiations were notably delayed due to disputes between the Bears and his agency over language regarding guaranteed money and potential suspensions under the NFL’s new helmet-contact rule. The Bears ultimately signed Smith to a fully guaranteed four-year, $18.47 million contract on August 14, 2018, making him the last first-round pick in his draft class to sign with his team.

Smith made an immediate impact in his NFL debut during Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, recording a sack on quarterback DeShone Kizer on his very first career snap. He continued his strong play throughout his rookie season, recording 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended, and one interception. The Bears made the playoffs that year, and Smith led the team with seven tackles and recorded an interception in their Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. His performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Bears Years (2019–2021)

Smith’s 2019 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve in December after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. He finished that year with 101 total tackles, two sacks, one interception, and two passes defended. In 2020, Smith recorded 139 total tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and seven passes defended. During a Week 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he intercepted quarterback Mike Glennon twice, becoming the first Bears player with multiple interceptions in a game since Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2019 and the first linebacker to achieve the feat since Lance Briggs in 2008.

The 2021 season proved to be Smith’s most productive to that point. On September 19, he intercepted Joe Burrow and returned the ball 53 yards for his first career defensive touchdown in a 20-17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Later that season, Smith recorded a career-high 17 tackles in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the most by a Bears player in a single game since Brian Urlacher had 19 tackles in 2006. He finished the 2021 season with 163 total tackles, the fifth-most in the NFL that year, and earned Second-team All-Pro honors for the second consecutive season.

Trade and Holdout (2022)

In early August 2022, Smith announced that he had requested a trade from the Bears, stating that the new front office regime did not value his contributions. He reported to training camp but refused to practice, beginning a holdout. On August 20, Smith ended his holdout and stated he would no longer negotiate a contract extension with the Bears for the remainder of the 2022 season. He continued to perform at a high level, recording 16 tackles and an interception in a Week 3 win over the Houston Texans.

Baltimore Ravens Era (2022–Present)

On October 31, 2022, Smith was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for A.J. Klein, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2023 fifth-round pick. The trade marked a new chapter in his career. Smith made an immediate impact with his new team, recording 169 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, and six passes defended during the remainder of the 2022 season. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December and earned his first Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors as a member of the Ravens.

On January 10, 2023, Smith signed a historic five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens, including $45 million fully guaranteed and $60 million in total guarantees. The deal made him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history. Remarkably, Smith negotiated the contract himself without an agent, demonstrating his business acumen and confidence. In May 2023, Smith changed his jersey number to 0, becoming the first player in Ravens franchise history to wear that number.

During the 2023 season, Smith continued his dominance. On November 12, 2023, he recorded a career-high 21 tackles in a game against the Cleveland Browns, becoming only the second player in Ravens history (alongside Ray Lewis) to record at least 20 tackles in a single game. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and Second-team All-Pro honors, finishing the season with 158 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. He was ranked 19th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.

2024 Season

Smith continued his elite performance in the 2024 season, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection and Third consecutive First-team All-Pro honors. He recorded 154 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery during the season.

Driving Style and Strengths

Smith is renowned for his exceptional football instincts, blazing speed, and outstanding tackling ability. His quick reaction time allows him to diagnose plays rapidly and make plays sideline to sideline. He possesses the range to cover tight ends and running backs in pass coverage while also demonstrating the power and technique to rush the quarterback. His leadership qualities and consistency have made him the anchor of defensive units throughout his career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Smith’s career has been defined by milestone achievements. He became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award in college football history. In the NFL, he became the first player in Ravens history to wear jersey number 0 and joined Ray Lewis as the only players in franchise history to record at least 20 tackles in a single game. His self-negotiated $100 million contract set a new standard for linebacker compensation in the NFL.

Roquan Smith Career Wins

Throughout his NFL career, Smith has established himself as one of the most productive and consistent linebackers in professional football. His career statistics include over 1,100 total tackles, 21.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns.

NFL Career Highlights

Smith has accumulated impressive career totals of 1,135 total tackles, 21.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 38 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive touchdowns. His individual game highlights include his Week 1 debut sack against Green Bay, his 53-yard interception return for a touchdown against Cincinnati in 2021, and his career-high 21-tackle performance against Cleveland in 2023. He has consistently ranked among the league leaders in tackles each season.

Achievement Summary

Smith’s accolades span both his college and professional career. In college, he won the Butkus Award, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and achieved unanimous All-American status. In the NFL, he has earned three First-team All-Pro selections (2022, 2023, 2024), two Second-team All-Pro selections (2020, 2021), and four Pro Bowl appearances (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018.

Roquan Smith Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Smith grew up in Marshallville, Georgia, where he began playing organized football at age six. His exceptional athletic abilities were apparent early, as youth coaches had to verify his age multiple times due to his physical development.

Personal Life

Smith negotiated his landmark $100 million contract extension with the Ravens without the use of an agent, demonstrating his business intelligence and willingness to advocate directly for himself. In May 2018, shortly after being drafted, his car was burgled in Athens, Georgia, and team-issued equipment and personal memorabilia were stolen. Law enforcement recovered the items the following day.

2025 Season Performance

Smith continued his elite production during the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 2 of the 2025 season, he delivered a standout performance against the Cleveland Browns, recording 15 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and recovering a fumble that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown in the Ravens’ 41-17 victory. His performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Through the season, Smith accumulated 130 total tackles, three passes defended, and one fumble return for a touchdown. He earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection in December 2025, further cementing his status as one of the NFL’s premier linebackers. His consistency and leadership remain central to the Ravens’ defensive identity as they compete for playoff positioning.