Lecitus Smith Bio
Lecitus Smith (born July 13, 1998) is an American professional football center for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies from 2017 to 2021. The Arizona Cardinals selected Smith in the sixth round (215th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career, Smith has developed into a reliable depth piece along the offensive line, contributing across multiple organizations during his young professional journey.
Early Life and Background
Lecitus Smith was born on July 13, 1998, in Miami, Florida, United States. He grew up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, where he attended Fitzgerald High School. Smith’s high school career positioned him as a promising offensive line prospect, earning him the opportunity to continue his football journey at the collegiate level. His combination of size and athleticism made him an attractive recruit for major college programs seeking to strengthen their offensive front.
Path to Professional Football
Smith committed to play college football at Virginia Tech, joining the Virginia Tech Hokies program in 2017. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2017, using that year to adapt to the college-level intensity and playbook. The following year, Smith appeared in 11 games with 4 starts, demonstrating his potential as a developing talent along the Hokies’ offensive line.
His breakthrough came in the 2019 season when Smith started 12 games as the left guard. His performance that year earned him recognition as a 2019 All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Honorable Mention. Smith continued his strong play into the 2020 season, starting all 11 games at left guard and earning another All-ACC Honorable Mention selection. He returned for a fifth season in 2021, further cementing his status as a reliable starter and team leader on Virginia Tech’s offensive line.
Lecitus Smith Career
Arizona Cardinals (2022–2023)
The Arizona Cardinals selected Lecitus Smith in the sixth round with the 215th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His selection marked the culmination of his development journey at Virginia Tech and the beginning of his professional football career. Smith joined a Cardinals organization seeking to build depth along their offensive line.
During his rookie season with Arizona, Smith worked to adjust to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses. He competed for playing time behind established veterans while developing his technique at the guard position. On August 29, 2023, the Cardinals released Smith as part of their final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season, ending his tenure with the organization.
Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles (2023)
Following his release from Arizona, Smith joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad on November 1, 2023. His time in Houston proved brief, as the Texans released him from the practice squad six days later. Smith quickly found another opportunity, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad on November 14, 2023.
Smith continued developing with the Eagles organization into the 2024 season. He signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia on January 18, 2024, securing his place on the team’s roster heading into the offseason program. However, the Eagles waived Smith on April 30, 2024, following the NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers (2024)
Smith signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 6, 2024. His addition provided offensive line depth for the Packers as they prepared for the 2024 season. The Packers released Smith on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad to retain his services as developmental talent.
New England Patriots (2024–2025)
On October 15, 2024, the New England Patriots signed Smith off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad to their active roster. This move reflected the Patriots’ need for offensive line depth during the 2024 season. Smith contributed to the Patriots’ offensive line rotation during his time with the organization. New England released Smith on March 21, 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025)
Three days after his release from New England, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 24, 2025. The opportunity with Pittsburgh represented another chance for Smith to compete for a roster spot on an NFL team. However, the Steelers waived Smith on May 20, 2025.
Green Bay Packers (Second Stint, 2025–Present)
Smith returned to the Green Bay Packers, signing with the team on August 5, 2025. The Packers released him on August 26 during final roster cuts but re-signed him to their practice squad on September 25. Two days later, Green Bay elevated Smith to the active roster for their Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers released him on November 4, only to re-sign him to the practice squad again on November 12. Smith earned a promotion to the active roster on January 3, 2026, securing his place with Green Bay heading into the 2026 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Smith brings solid size to the center position at 6 feet 3 inches and 314 pounds. His experience as a left guard at Virginia Tech translated well to his professional career, where he has demonstrated the ability to play multiple interior offensive line positions. His collegiate honors at Virginia Tech, including back-to-back All-ACC Honorable Mention selections, highlighted his consistency and reliability as a starter. Smith has shown the capacity to absorb complex defensive schemes and execute blocking assignments at a high level.
Lecitus Smith Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Smith has appeared in 19 games and started 4 contests. While his primary contributions have come as a reserve and practice squad player, his ability to remain on rosters across multiple organizations demonstrates his value as reliable depth along the offensive line.
Virginia Tech Highlights
Smith’s most significant career wins came during his five seasons at Virginia Tech. He earned 2019 All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition after starting 12 games at left guard. He repeated that accomplishment in 2020, starting all 11 games and earning another All-ACC Honorable Mention selection. These back-to-back conference honors established Smith as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the ACC during his collegiate career.
NFL Career Statistics
During his NFL tenure, Smith has competed for playing time with several organizations. His professional career has been characterized by persistence and adaptability as he has navigated the challenges of establishing himself as a consistent NFL contributor. Smith continues working toward increased playing time and a permanent role on an NFL roster.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| College (Virginia Tech) | 45+ | 37 | All-ACC Honorable Mention (2019, 2020) |
| NFL (2022–2025) | 19 | 4 | — |
Lecitus Smith Family
Family Background
Smith grew up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, where he attended Fitzgerald High School before pursuing his college football career at Virginia Tech. Details about his family members, including parents and siblings, remain private and have not been publicly disclosed. His path from high school in Georgia through Virginia Tech and into the NFL reflects his dedication to the sport and his ability to compete at the highest levels of football.
Personal Life
Smith maintains a public presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle @cito_54 on Instagram. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Smith represents the small-town Georgia pipeline that has produced several NFL offensive linemen. He continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable professional football player while building his career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a significant chapter in Smith’s professional journey. After beginning the year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and later returning to the Green Bay Packers, Smith demonstrated his resilience by repeatedly earning opportunities with organizations. His mid-season elevation to the Packers’ active roster for the Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys highlighted his continued development and readiness when called upon.
Smith’s pattern of being signed, released, and re-signed throughout the 2025 season showcased the competitive nature of the NFL’s offensive line positions. Despite these fluctuations, he maintained his commitment to improvement and ultimately secured a promotion to Green Bay’s active roster in January 2026. This late-season promotion positioned him for a potential expanded role heading into the 2026 campaign.
The outlook for Smith remains focused on consistent performance and earning a permanent spot on an NFL roster. His versatility across multiple offensive line positions and his experience with six different NFL organizations provide him with a strong foundation for continued growth. As he enters the 2026 season with the Green Bay Packers, Smith aims to translate his practice squad consistency into regular-season production and increased playing time.