Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State only 22 days away
To preview one of the most anticipated games for Notre Dame this century and the official start of the Marcus Freeman era, BlueandGold.com is counting down the days to the matchup against Ohio State on Sept. 3.
This daily series of 99 stories celebrates by the numbers some of the most notable names, dates, moments and memories related to the past and present of Notre Dame football.
Today, with 22 days remaining until kickoff, we look at the career of safety Harrison Smith, who wore the number from 2007-11.
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Smith arrived at Notre Dame with high expectations from Day 1; the Tennessee native was a top-300 recruit ranked No. 212 overall and No. 18 at the safety position. He also was the Gatorade Player of the Year from the state in 2006. To say he matched said expectations at Notre Dame is a gross understatement.
The 6-2, 215-pound defensive back did not see action during his freshman season in 2007, but that would change drastically for the remainder of his college career. Over the next four seasons, Smith played two positions and became a mainstay on the Irish defense.
He moved to linebacker as a sophomore in 2008 and made nine starts. Smith truly did it all, recording 57 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and seven pass breakups. He returned to the secondary in 2009 and continued his dominance, finishing the season with 69 stops, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Smith upped his game once again the following season, posting a career-high 91 stops. Pulling out astounding statistics for Smith is difficult given there were so many, but his seven interceptions in 2010 can’t go without mention.
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He wrapped up his time on the college football field with 90 tackles and 10 passes defended in 2011.
Before all was said and done, Smith became the first player in program history to notch 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 pass break ups in his career; he ultimately made 307 stops, 18.5 stops for loss and broke up 18 passes. He played in 51 games, starting in 47 of them, and was a captain during his final season in South Bend.
Smith was taken No. 29 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and remains with the team today. Until safety Kyle Hamilton was drafted No. 14 overall by the Baltimore Ravens in April, Smith was the last Irish defensive back drafted in the first round.
Now entering his 11th season at the next level, Smith is the second-highest paid safety in the NFL and has reached six Pro Bowls, earning first-team honors in 2017. Smith recorded a career-high 114 tackles in 2021. He had not broken 100 stops since his rookie season in 2012.
As was the case in college, Smith seemingly only gets better with age.
