Elerson G. Smith Bio
Elerson G. Smith is an American former professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northern Iowa Panthers and was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Over his four-year professional career, Smith appeared in games with the New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns. He was known as a pass-rushing specialist who registered 14 sacks during his dominant 2020 season at Northern Iowa.
Early Life and Background
Smith was born on July 17, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Minneapolis South High School in Minneapolis, where he lettered in four sports including football, track and field, wrestling, and basketball. His multi-sport athletic background helped him develop the speed, strength, and agility that would define his football career. Smith’s standout performances at Minneapolis South High School drew attention from college programs, leading him to remain in-state for his collegiate career.
Path to American Football
Smith chose to continue his football career at the University of Northern Iowa, playing for the Panthers from 2016 through 2020. He redshirted his true freshman season and did not play as a redshirt freshman. Smith began seeing meaningful playing time as a redshirt sophomore, finishing that season with 19 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His breakout campaign came in 2020 when he recorded 63 total tackles, 14 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. He was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and earned first-team FCS All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association. Smith was also named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year before deciding to forgo his redshirt senior season and prepare for the NFL draft. He showcased his talents at the 2021 Senior Bowl, further elevating his draft stock.
Elerson G. Smith Career
New York Giants (2021–2022)
The New York Giants selected Smith in the fourth round with the 116th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Giants on May 25, 2021. Smith was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021, to start the season and was activated from injured reserve on November 6. He was placed on injured reserve again on January 5, 2022, with a neck injury, ending his rookie season. In 2022, Smith was placed on injured reserve on August 31, activated on October 29, and returned to injured reserve on December 16. The Giants waived Smith on July 25, 2023.
New York Jets (2023)
On October 11, 2023, Smith was signed to the New York Jets practice squad. He was released from the Jets practice squad on November 1, 2023. The brief stint with the Jets provided Smith an opportunity to continue his NFL career after being waived by the Giants.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023–2024)
Smith joined another New York team when he was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on November 22, 2023. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on January 8, 2024. Smith was waived/injured by the team on August 27, 2024, ending his tenure with the Raiders before the 2024 season began.
Cleveland Browns (2024–2025)
On September 25, 2024, Smith was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 16, 2024. Smith was waived on November 27 and re-signed to the Browns practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland on January 6, 2025. On July 16, 2025, Smith announced his retirement from professional football, concluding his four-year NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith was known as a pass-rushing specialist who used his 6-foot-6 frame to generate leverage against offensive linemen. His 2020 college season demonstrated his ability to pressure quarterbacks consistently, with 14 sacks showcasing his burst off the line of scrimmage and closing speed. Smith’s background in track and field contributed to his quickness, while his wrestling experience helped him develop hand-fighting techniques to shed blocks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most notable milestone was being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, fulfilling his dream of playing professional football. His standout 2020 season at Northern Iowa, which included 14 sacks and first-team All-American honors, served as the foundation for his professional career. Smith’s career was also marked by injuries, particularly neck injuries that affected his time with the Giants and ultimately contributed to his retirement announcement in July 2025.
Elerson G. Smith Career Wins
Over his four NFL seasons with four different teams, Smith appeared in 13 games and recorded 13 total tackles and 1 forced fumble. His professional career was interrupted by multiple injured reserve stints, limiting his opportunities to accumulate statistics. Smith’s most productive football came during his collegiate career at Northern Iowa, where he registered 14 sacks in his final season.
Northern Iowa Panthers Highlights
Smith’s most decorated season came in 2020 when he recorded 63 total tackles, 14 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. He earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors and was named a first-team FCS All-American by the AFCA. His 14 sacks led the conference and ranked among the top totals in all of FCS football that season. Smith’s 2020 performance established him as one of the top defensive prospects in the country and earned him Preseason Defensive Player of the Year recognition heading into his draft year.
Other Highlights
In addition to his 14-sack season, Smith recorded 7.5 sacks as a redshirt sophomore and was named first-team All-MVFC in 2020. His multi-forced-fumble ability (five in 2020) demonstrated his capacity to create game-changing plays. Smith’s performance at the 2021 Senior Bowl provided additional visibility among NFL scouts and helped solidify his draft position.
| Level | Season | Team | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (FCS) | 2020 | Northern Iowa | 63 | 14 |
| NFL | 2021–2025 | Giants/Jets/Raiders/Browns | 13 | – |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smith grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended Minneapolis South High School. His family background details are not publicly confirmed. Smith’s athletic family lineage is evidenced by his own multi-sport achievements at Minneapolis South, where he lettered in football, track and field, wrestling, and basketball.
Personal Life
Following his retirement announcement on July 16, 2025, Smith began the transition to life after professional football. His career spanned four seasons with four different NFL franchises, reflecting both the challenges of maintaining a roster spot and the mobility that characterizes modern professional football careers. Smith’s athletic versatility was a defining characteristic throughout his career, beginning with his four-sport letter at Minneapolis South High School.
2025 Season Performance
Smith’s 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns was limited in game action. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, Smith remained with the Browns organization through the offseason and training camp. He was unable to secure a consistent role on the Browns 53-man roster during the 2025 season, spending much of his time on the practice squad. The lack of a sustained opportunity to contribute on the active roster played a significant role in his decision to retire in July 2025. Smith’s retirement concluded a professional career that showed promise during his collegiate career but was ultimately shortened by injuries and roster instability across four NFL teams.