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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1991-04-11)April 11, 1991 (age 34) Valdosta, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Lowndes (Valdosta) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Florida State (2010–2013) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2014: 5th round, 144th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Telvin Trishaun Smith Sr. (born April 11, 1991) is an American former professionalfootball player who was alinebacker for theJacksonville Jaguars of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theFlorida State Seminoles and was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the2014 NFL draft. Smith played his entire professional career with the Jaguars, earning second-teamAll-Pro honors and aPro Bowl selection in 2017. He retired after the 2018 season.
Smith attendedLowndes High School inValdosta, Georgia, where he playedfootball and rantrack. In football, he registered 84tackles and twointerceptions as a senior for the Vikings. As a junior, he recorded 97 tackles, including 16 for loss and two interceptions, helping his team win the state AAAAA championship.
In track & field, Smith competed in sprints and relays for the Vikings in 2009. At the Region 1AAAAA Meet, he placed 5th in the400-meter dash event, recording a personal-best time of 51.00 seconds, and ran a leg on the Lowndes4 × 100 m (42.50 seconds) and4 × 400 m (3:25.05 minutes) relay squads.[1]
Considered a four-star recruit byRivals.com, he was rated as the 18th bestoutside linebacker prospect in the nation.[2]
Smith attendedFlorida State University from 2010 to 2013. As atrue freshman in 2010, he played in all 14 games, recording 18 tackles and 1.5sacks. As a sophomore, he played in 12 games with one start. He had 42 tackles with three sacks and one interception. As a junior in 2012, he played in all 14 games, recording 64 tackles and one sack. After three years as a backup, he took over as a starter in 2013. He led the Seminole's defense with 75 tackles, 9.5tackles for losses, and three interceptions, two that he returned fortouchdown.[3][4][5] He was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[6]
On January 21, 2014, it was announced that Smith would play in the2014 Senior Bowl as part ofJacksonville Jaguars head coachGus Bradley's South team. On January 25, 2014, Smith made five combined tackles and had a tackle for a loss with South teammateDeandre Coleman as the South defeated the North 20–10.[7] Smith went on to attend theNFL Scouting Combine inIndianapolis, Indiana and was one of 35 collegiate linebackers performing. He performed the majority of combine drills, but opted to skip thebench press,short shuttle, andthree-cone drill. Smith finished second among all participating linebackers in the 40-yard dash and tied for 12th in thebroad jump.[8] On March 18, 2014, he attended Florida State'spro day and performed the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills for scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams, including head coachesMike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers),Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles),Jim Caldwell (Detroit Lions), andMike Zimmer (Minnesota Vikings).[9][10][11]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Telvin Smith NFL Combine workout |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) | 10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.52 s | 1.57 s | 2.63 s | 4.57 s | 7.04 s | 31.5 in (0.80 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | 16 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13][14] | ||||||||||||
The Jaguars selected Smith in the fifth round (144th overall) of the2014 NFL draft.[15] He was the 17th linebacker selected in 2014.[16]
On May 27, 2014, the Jaguars signed Smith to a four-year, $2.43 million contract that includes asigning bonus of $211,052.[17]
Throughouttraining camp, Smith competed againstGeno Hayes,LaRoy Reynolds, andDekoda Watson for a job as one of the starting outside linebackers.[18][19] He became the frontrunner for the starting weakside linebacker job after Watson started camp on thephysically unable to perform list (PUP) due to asports hernia injury.[20] Bradley named Smith the backup outside linebacker behind starters Hayes and Reynolds to start the regular season.[21]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Week 7: Telvin Smith Highlights |
He made his professional regular season debut in the Jaguars' season-opener at thePhiladelphia Eagles and recorded three combined tackles during a 34–17 loss. The following week, Smith recorded five combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterbackKirk Cousins as the Jaguars were routed at theWashington Redskins 41–10.[22] On October 19, 2014, Smith collected four combined tackles, broke up two passes, and returned his first career interception offBrian Hoyer for 15-yards in a 24–6 victory against theCleveland Browns. As a result, he earned his firstAmerican Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week honors. The following week, Smith earned his first career start and collected five combined tackles and apass deflection during a 27–13 loss to theMiami Dolphins in Week 8. In Week 12, Smith recorded 13 combined tackles during the Jaguars' 23–3 loss at theIndianapolis Colts. It marked Smith's first career game with double digit tackles on defense. On December 28, 2014, he made a season-high 16 combined tackles during a 23–17 loss at theHouston Texans.[23] He finished his rookie season in2014 with a total of 104 combined tackles (72 solo), four pass deflections, two sacks, a forcedfumble, and an interception in 16 games and nine starts.[24] He played 705 defensive snaps on defense, ranking second among Jaguars' linebackers behind onlyJ. T. Thomas (714 snaps).[25]
Smith entered the 2015 regular season as the starting weakside linebacker along withDan Skuta and starting middle linebackerPaul Posluszny.[26]
On October 11, 2015, Smith recorded a season-high 14 combined tackles during a 38–31 loss to theTampa Bay Buccaneers.In Week 7, he made two combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and returned an interception off a pass by former FSU teammateE. J. Manuel for a 26-yard touchdown during a 34–31 victory against theBuffalo Bills. His performance against the Bills earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and marked his first career touchdown. In Week 10, Smith made 12 combined tackles in the Jaguars' 22–20 victory at theBaltimore Ravens. On December 20, 2015, he recorded six solo tackles during a 23–17 loss to theAtlanta Falcons.[27] He left in the third quarter after sustaining a separated shoulder and dislocated finger that sidelined him for the last two games of the season (Weeks 16-17).[28] Smith finished the 2016 season with a career-high 128 combined tackles (99 solo), seven pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, and an interception in 14 games and 14 starts. He was ranked 83rd on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[29]
Bradley named Smith the starting weakside linebacker along withDan Skuta and starting middle linebacker Paul Posluszny to begin the regular season.[30]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| NFL Top 100 Players: Telvin Smith |
In Week 8, Smith recorded 15 combined tackles (ten solo) during a 36–22 loss at theTennessee Titans. On December 4, 2016, Smith made six solo tackles and sacked quarterbackTrevor Siemian as the Jaguars lost 20–10 to theDenver Broncos. On December 18, 2016, he collected eight combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass byBrock Osweiler in the Jaguars' 21–20 loss at the Texans.[31] Following their loss to the Texans, Bradley was fired and assistant head coach/offensive line coachDoug Marrone was promoted to interim head coach. Smith finished the 2016 season with 118 combined tackles (98 solo), eight pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[24]
Smith, Posluszny, andMyles Jack all remained the starting linebackers entering the regular season.
On September 17, 2017, Smith intercepted quarterbackMarcus Mariota to stop a drive that was in Jaguars' territory in a 37–16 loss to the Titans.[32] In Week 5, Smith recorded ten combined tackles, broke up a pass, and returned an interception by quarterbackBen Roethlisberger for a 28-yard touchdown in the Jaguars' 30–9 victory at thePittsburgh Steelers. His performance in Week 5 earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[33]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Smith recovers fumble and returns it for 50-yards | |
| Telvin Smith intercepts Marcus Mariota | |
| Telvin Smith takes interception to be house for six |
On October 25, 2017, the Jaguars signed Smith to a four-year, $45.05 million contract extension that includes $15.05 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.05 million.[17][34] On December 3, 2017, Smith recorded seven combined tackles during a 27–24 loss at theArizona Cardinals, but left in the third quarter after sustaining aconcussion.[35] He missed the following two weeks (Weeks 13-14) while he remained in concussion protocol.[36] Smith finished the season with 102 combined tackles (76 solo), five pass deflections, three interceptions, one touchdown, and one sack in 14 games and 14 starts. On January 22, 2018, it was announced that Smith would play in the2018 Pro Bowl as a late replacement forJadeveon Clowney.[37] He was ranked 67th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[38]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Telvin Smith gets through blocks extra point | |
| Telvin Smith takes off for 50-yard scoop and score |
The Jaguars finished first in theAFC South with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth. On January 7, 2018, Smith recorded nine combined tackles during a 10–3 win against the Bills in the AFC Wildcard Game. The following week, he made 16 combined tackles (14 solo), deflected a pass, and returned a fumble recovery by Ben Roethlisberger for a 50-yard touchdown during the second quarter of their 45–42 victory at the Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round. On January 21, 2018, Smith recorded eight solo tackles and two pass deflections as the Jaguars lost theAFC Championship Game 24–20 at theNew England Patriots.[39]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Top 100 Players of 2018: Telvin Smith |
Head coach Doug Marrone retained Smith as the starting weakside linebacker in 2018. He started alongsideLeon Jacobs and middle linebackerMyles Jack.[40] In Week 5, Smith collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 30–14 loss at theKansas City Chiefs. On December 23, 2018, Smith recorded six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned an interception for the third touchdown of his career during a 17–7 win at the Dolphins in Week 16. Smith intercepted a pass by Dolphins’ quarterbackRyan Tannehill, that was initially intended for running backKalen Ballage, and returned it for a 33-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.[41] He started in all 16 games in 2018 and recorded a career-high 134 combined tackles (100 solo), two pass deflections, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble, and a touchdown.[24] He received an overall grade of 65.2 fromPro Football Focus, which ranked 44th among all linebackers in 2018.[42]
On May 9, 2019, Smith announced via Instagram that he would not be playing football in the 2019 season, citing the need to "get his world in order".[43] He was placed on the team's reserve/retired list on July 24.[44]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sack | PD | INT | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2014 | JAX | 16 | 9 | 104 | 72 | 32 | 2.0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | JAX | 14 | 14 | 128 | 99 | 29 | 2.5 | 7 | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | JAX | 16 | 16 | 118 | 98 | 20 | 1.0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | JAX | 14 | 14 | 102 | 76 | 26 | 1.0 | 5 | 3 | 56 | 18.7 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 52 | 1 |
| 2018 | JAX | 16 | 16 | 134 | 100 | 34 | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Career | 76 | 69 | 586 | 445 | 141 | 7.5 | 26 | 9 | 130 | 14.4 | 33 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 57 | 1 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sack | PD | INT | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2017 | JAX | 3 | 3 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 1 |
| Totals | 3 | 3 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 1 | |
Police were called to Smith's home on November 27, 2019, to execute a search warrant.[45] On April 29, 2020, Smith was arrested on charges of unlawful sexual contact with a minor in Jacksonville, Florida.[46] He pleaded not guilty.[47] On May 21, 2021, Smith pleaded no contest for his unlawful sexual activity. He received three years of probation, and was ordered to undergo psychosexual counseling. In addition, he was prohibited from contacting any women younger than 18 years of age who were not in his family unless evaluators or counselors approved it.[48]