Harrison Smith Bio
Harrison Smith is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 2, 1989, in Augusta, Georgia, he played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after an impressive high school career at Knoxville Catholic High School. Drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Smith quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier safeties, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Harrison Smith was born on February 2, 1989, in Augusta, Georgia, USA. He attended Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he gained recognition as a multi-sport athlete. In his senior season, he gained 1,340 yards rushing to go with 19 touchdowns, caught 23 passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns, and also made 61 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and caused two fumbles on defense. He was named Gatorade Football Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2006.
In addition to football, Smith also excelled in basketball and track. On the track, he competed primarily as a jumper. In 2007, he won the state meet in the high jump with a height of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and the decathlon, scoring 6,230 points; he also won a silver medal in the triple jump (46 ft 1 in (14.05 m)) and a bronze in the long jump (21 ft 8.5 in (6.62 m)).
Path to American Football
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Smith was listed as the No. 25 athlete in the nation. Many scouts believed he could play offense or defense in college. He chose Notre Dame over numerous Power 5 offers. After red-shirting as a freshman in 2007, he emerged as a star in 2008, beginning his career at linebacker. He started 9 games and recorded 57 tackles, which included 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
As a junior in 2009, he started six games at strong safety, then strongside linebacker for the final six games. He recorded 69 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss. In 2010, as a senior, he played strong safety where he recorded 93 tackles including a team-high seven interceptions. In 2011, he was accepted to a graduate program at Notre Dame allowing him to play another season, serving as team captain where he played in and started all 13 games, recording 90 tackles including three tackles for loss.
Harrison Smith Career
Early Career (2012-2014)
On April 26, 2012, the Minnesota Vikings selected Smith in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft after trading up with the Baltimore Ravens. He was named the starting free safety to begin the regular season. He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Vikings’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing the 26–23 victory with seven combined tackles. During his rookie season, Smith finished with 104 combined tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and two touchdowns, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Smith returned as the starting free safety the following season. In the season-opener against the Detroit Lions, he made a season-high ten combined tackles and deflected a pass. Later in the season, he was placed on injured-reserve after suffering an injury to his left foot during a Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers, missing 8 games. He resumed as the starting free safety under new head coach Mike Zimmer in 2014, where he started all 16 games and finished with 92 combined tackles, nine deflected passes, three sacks, five interceptions, and a touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2015-2020)
In the 2015 season opener, Smith recorded a season-high nine combined tackles in a 20–3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 16, he intercepted a pass thrown by Eli Manning that he returned for a 35-yard touchdown in the Vikings’ 49–17 win over the New York Giants, setting a Vikings’ franchise record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns in a career. He started 13 games and finished the season with 66 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, and a touchdown. On January 31, 2016, Smith played in his first Pro Bowl as an alternate for the injured Earl Thomas.
On June 6, 2016, Smith signed a five-year, $51.25 million contract extension with the Vikings. During the season, he recorded seven combined tackles and sacked Cam Newton in a 22–10 win against the Panthers. He finished the season with 91 tackles, two sacks, and two deflected passes in 14 starts. On December 20, 2016, the NFL announced that Smith had been voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl, his second consecutive Pro Bowl but first as a first-team member. He was ranked 74th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
Smith would have what would be considered the best season of his career in 2017. On the season, he had 78 total tackles (61 solo), five interceptions, and 12 passes defended in 16 appearances and starts. Smith was graded the third-best player in the NFL by Pro Football Focus (PFF). His season grade of 98.8 was also the highest among safeties in PFF history. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl on January 22, 2018, and was named first-team All-Pro. He was also nominated for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In Week 1 of the 2018 season, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo, while also recording a sack and a touchdown-saving fumble recovery. After recording 84 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions on the season, Smith was selected to a fourth straight Pro Bowl as well as being named a Second-team All-Pro. In Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders in 2019, Smith recorded his first interception of the season off Derek Carr in the 34–14 win. He finished the year with 85 tackles, a sack, and three interceptions, while being selected to his fifth straight Pro Bowl.
Current Vikings Era (2021-Present)
On August 29, 2021, Smith signed a four-year contract extension with the Vikings worth $64 million. After being activated from the Reserve/COVID list, Smith posted either a sack or an interception in three games between Weeks 11–14, including a sack on Aaron Rodgers in a 34–31 win over the Packers. Despite only recording one interception on the season, Smith recorded a new career high in tackles with 114 and tied his career high in sacks with three. He earned Pro Bowl honors for the sixth time in his career.
To start the 2022 season, Smith intercepted a pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers in a 23–7 win over the Packers. From Weeks 6–9, he recorded three consecutive games with an interception. In Week 13, he recorded his fifth interception of the season off a pass thrown by Mike White, tying his single-season career high. In 14 appearances and starts in the 2022 season, Smith had 85 total tackles (66 solo), five interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Playing Style and Strengths
Smith is known for his strong defensive skills, leadership on the field, and versatility in coverage. He excels at reading offenses and making timely interceptions, having recorded 39 career interceptions through 2024. His ability to play both strong safety and free safety has made him a valuable asset to the Vikings’ defense. His partnership with defensive coordinator George Edwards and later Brian Flores has maximized his strengths in both zone and man coverage schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith set a Vikings’ franchise record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns in his career. In 2017, he achieved the highest season grade among safeties in Pro Football Focus history with a 98.8 rating. He has recorded multiple seasons with at least five interceptions and has consistently ranked among the NFL’s top defensive players, appearing on the NFL Top 100 Players list multiple times. His 2017 season where he was nominated for NFL Defensive Player of the Year stands as his most individual accomplishment.
Harrison Smith Career Wins
Throughout his career, Harrison Smith has established himself as one of the premier safeties in the NFL. His playmaking ability has resulted in 39 career interceptions, 1,180 total tackles, and 21.5 sacks. Smith has been a key component of the Vikings’ defense, contributing significantly to both their pass coverage and run stopping capabilities.
NFL Highlights
Smith has been selected to six Pro Bowls (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021) and has earned All-Pro honors twice (first-team in 2017, second-team in 2018). His most productive seasons came in 2017 when he recorded five interceptions and in 2018 when he had three sacks and three interceptions. Smith has also excelled in the postseason, recording multiple interceptions and key plays in playoff games, including his performance in the Vikings’ 2019 wild-card victory over the Saints where he recorded 11 tackles.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to his NFL career, Smith earned numerous accolades at Notre Dame, including being named team captain in his final season. He was also named Gatorade Football Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2006 during his high school career. His performance in track and field, winning the state high jump and decathlon in 2007, showcased his athletic versatility.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 39 Interceptions | 6 Pro Bowls | Multiple All-Pro |
Harrison Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smith comes from a family with athletic connections. His cousin is actress Elaine Hendrix, known for her role in The Parent Trap (1998). While there is no documented football lineage in his family, Smith has carried on a tradition of athletic excellence across multiple sports, continuing to inspire future generations of athletes.
Personal Life
During his NFL career, Smith has maintained a relatively private personal life. He has been active on social media with accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Smith has occasionally shared insights into his life outside of football, including his philanthropic efforts and community involvement in Minnesota, though specific details about his family and personal relationships remain largely out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Harrison Smith returned to the Vikings after signing a one-year, $10.25 million contract. The season marked his 14th year with the franchise, where he continued to provide veteran leadership in the secondary. In Week 17, Smith recorded three passes defensed, two tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception in a 23–10 win over the Detroit Lions, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Despite being one of the older players in the league, Smith remained productive throughout the 2025 season, demonstrating his durability and skill. He finished the season with one sack, 54 tackles, two interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble. However, after 14 seasons with the Vikings, Smith was released by the team on March 11, 2026, concluding his tenure with the franchise that drafted him in 2012.