Background and career
Za'Darius Smith (born September 8, 1992) is an American professional football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Mississippi Lions and Kentucky Wildcats. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith attended Greenville High School in Greenville, Alabama. Smith played basketball in high school and did not start playing football until his senior year.
Smith played college football for two years at East Mississippi Community College before transferring to the University of Kentucky. In his two years at East Mississippi, he recorded 66 tackles and 11 sacks. In his first year at Kentucky, Smith started all 12 games and recorded 59 tackles and six sacks, which ranked seventh in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). As a senior in 2014, Smith had 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
On January 17, 2015, Smith appeared in the 2015 East–West Shrine Game and recorded two combined tackles and one sack to help the East defeat the West 19–3. Smith was recognized as the most valuable defensive player in the East-West Shrine Game. Smith subsequently received a LB invitation to the 2015 Senior Bowl. On January 24, 2015, Smith appeared in the Reese's Senior Bowl and helped the North team defeat the South 34–13. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Smith was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the 12th best defensive end prospect by DraftScout.com.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Smith in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2015 NFL draft. Smith was the 17th defensive end drafted in 2015. The pick used to draft him was acquired during a trade with the Detroit Lions in exchange for Haloti Ngata. On May 8, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens signed Smith to a four-year, $2.76 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $483,152.
How Za'Darius Smith makes money
On May 8, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens signed Smith to a four-year, $2.76 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $483,152. Green Bay Packers 2019 On March 14, 2019, Smith signed a four-year, $66 million contract with the Green Bay Packers.
