Harrison Smith (American football)

Harrison Smith

Smith with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015
No. 22 Minnesota Vikings
Position:	Free safety
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1989-02-02) February 2, 1989 (age 28)
Place of birth:	Augusta, Georgia
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Knoxville (TN) Catholic
College:	Notre Dame
NFL Draft:	2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2012–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2015, 2016)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2016
Total tackles: 411 Sacks: 7.5 Interceptions: 12 Pass deflections: 28 Touchdowns: 4 Forced fumbles: 3 Player stats at NFL.com

Harrison Smith (born February 2, 1989) is an American football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round, 29th overall of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football for Notre Dame.

Smith attended Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. 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 played basketball and ran track. In track, he competed primarily as a jumper. He won the state meet in the high jump 1.98 meters (5.9 ft) and the decathlon, scoring 6,230 points. He had a career-best leap of 2.03 meters (6.8 ft.) in the high jump. He also had personal-best jumps of 6.54 meters (21 ft 5 in) in long jump and 14.15 meters (46 ft 5 in) in triple jump.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he 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 offers from Tennessee, Auburn, and Alabama.

After red-shirting as a freshman in 2007, he emerged as a star in 2008. He began his career at linebacker. In his first year, 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 6 games at strong safety, then strongside linebacker for the final 6 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 7 interceptions. In 2011, he was accepted to a graduate program at Notre Dame allowing him to play another season. In his final year in 2011, serving as team captain, he played in and started in all 13 games. He recorded 90 tackles including 3 tackles for loss.