Saivion Smith

American football player (born 1997)
American football player
Saivion Smith
refer to caption
Smith in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1997-11-05) November 5, 1997 (age 26)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:IMG Academy (FL)
College:LSU (2016)
Mississippi Gulf Coast (2017)
Alabama (2018)
Position:Cornerback
Undrafted:2019
Career history
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)*
  • Houston Roughnecks (2020)
  • Dallas Cowboys (2020)
  • Seattle Seahawks (2021)*
  • Denver Broncos (2021)*
  • San Francisco 49ers (2021)
  • Detroit Lions (2021–2022)
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:5
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Saivion Smith (November 5, 1997) is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Early years

Smith attended Lakewood High School. He transferred to IMG Academy after his sophomore season. As a junior, he had 67 tackles, 5 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries.

As a senior, he tallied 43 tackles, one pass defensed, one blocked punt and three blocked field goals. He received USA Today All-USA High School All-American honors. He was considered a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com.

College career

Smith accepted a football scholarship from Louisiana State University. As a true freshman, he appeared in 10 games as a backup cornerback, collecting 4 tackles and 4 passes defensed.

He enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2017 season. As a sophomore, he appeared in 12 games, registering 31 tackles (one for loss), 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 6 passes defensed (led the team), 26 kickoff returns for 718 yards (27.6-yard avg.) and one touchdown.

As a junior playing for Alabama in 2018, he appeared in 15 games with 12 starts, posting 60 tackles, 3 interceptions (led the team), 5 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He returned an interception for a 38-yard touchdown against Arkansas State University. He had 4 tackles and 2 interceptions against the University of Missouri. He struggled in the 44–16 loss against Clemson University in the national championship game, allowing 3 receptions for 162 receiving yards and leaving the contest with an ankle injury. He declared for the NFL Draft before the start of his senior season on January 12, 2019.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
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 0+78 in
(1.85 m)
199 lb
(90 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.66 s 1.61 s 2.73 s 4.37 s 7.09 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
11 reps
Sources:[2][3]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars after the 2019 NFL Draft on April 27, after dropping because of his 40-yard times at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was waived on August 30.[4]

Houston Roughnecks (XFL)

In 2020, he was selected in the XFL Supplemental Draft by the Houston Roughnecks.[5] He had 8 tackles and one pass defensed in the first two games. He was declared inactive in the final three contests of the season.[6] In March, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced that it would be canceling the rest of the season.[7] In April, the XFL suspended operations and filed for bankruptcy.[8]

Dallas Cowboys

On April 10, 2020, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys.[9] On August 1, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list,[10] and was activated eight days later.[11] He was waived on September 5, 2020 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[12][13] On September 26, he was promoted to the active roster to replace an injured Chidobe Awuzie.[14] He was waived on October 20,[15] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[16] He was elevated to the active roster on October 31, November 7, December 8, and December 12 for the team's weeks 8, 9, 13, and 14 games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[17][18][19][20] On December 19, 2020, he was placed on the practice squad/injured list.[21] On January 4, 2021, he signed a reserve/future contract.[22] On May 5, 2021, he was waived after the Cowboys used eight of their 11 selections in the 2021 NFL Draft on defensive players.[23]

Seattle Seahawks

On May 6, 2021, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks.[24] He was waived on July 26, 2021.

Denver Broncos

On August 3, 2021, Smith signed with the Denver Broncos.[25] He was waived on August 31, 2021 and later re-signed to the practice squad.[26] He was released on October 26.[27]

San Francisco 49ers

On November 11, 2021, Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[28] He was promoted to the active roster on December 11.[29] After participating in the team's Week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, he was waived on December 13.[30]

Detroit Lions

On December 14, 2021, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[31] He was released on January 6, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad.[32] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on January 10, 2022.[33]

On August 30, 2022, Smith was waived by the Lions and signed to the practice squad the next day.[34][35] He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.[36] In the game versus the New England Patriots on October 9 he suffered an injury during the second defensive play of the game, and was taken off the field in an ambulance.[37] On October 19 he was placed on the practice squad/injured list,[38] and on October 26 it was reported that he would undergo neck surgery and would be out for the remainder of the season.[39][40]

Smith was re-signed by the Lions on April 17, 2023.[41][42] He was waived on August 23.[43]

References

  1. ^ "Alabama CB Saivion Smith makes NFL draft decision". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "Saivion Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Saivion Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Oehser, John (August 31, 2019). "Roster reduction: Jaguars move to 53 players". Jacksonville Jaguars. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "Supplemental Draft Results". XFL.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "XFL Saivion Smith stats". XFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "XFL Injured Reserve". XFL.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  8. ^ "XFL files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suspending operations". ESPN. April 13, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  9. ^ "Cowboys sign former Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  10. ^ Phillips, Rob (August 1, 2020). "Kai Forbath Released; Rookie LB Waived/Injured". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  11. ^ Eatman, Nick (August 9, 2020). "2 Players Removed From COVID List; WR Waived". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  12. ^ Helman, David (September 5, 2020). "Two LBs Among Notable Cowboys Roster Cuts". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 6, 2020). "Brandon Carr Among 15 Practice Squad Additions". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  14. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 26, 2020). "Awuzie To IR; Cowboys Add CB, OT Depth". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Drummond, K. D. (October 20, 2020). "Randy Gregory is back, Cowboys DE returns as 2 players waived". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Thompson, Tony (October 22, 2020). "Cowboys signing practice squad safety to 53-man roster". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Phillips, Rob (October 31, 2020). "Dalton Ruled Out vs. Philly; 2 Veterans Activated". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  18. ^ Henry, Asa (November 7, 2020). "Roster Churn: Marquette King tryout, Cowboys elevate from PS for Steelers, Dez Bryant could play for Ravens". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  19. ^ Alper, Josh (December 8, 2020). "Cowboys promote Jordan Mills, Saivion Smith from practice squad". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "Rashard Robinson, Saivion Smith expected to start at cornerback for Cowboys vs. Bengals". DallasNews.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "Saivion Smith: Hits injured reserve". CBSSports.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  22. ^ "Jan. 4 Updates". DallasCowboys.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  23. ^ Phillips, Rob (May 5, 2021). "Cowboys Part Ways With 6 Players, Including Woods". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Boyle, John (May 6, 2021). "Seahawks Claim CB Saivion Smith Off Waivers". Seahawks.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  25. ^ "Broncos sign cornerback Saivion Smith". DenverBroncos.com. August 4, 2021.
  26. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2021). "Broncos make series of roster transactions to reach 53-man limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  27. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 26, 2021). "Broncos designate TE Albert Okwuegbunam and LB Jonas Griffith for return from IR, make series of other roster moves". DenverBroncos.com.
  28. ^ "49ers Waive WR Jalen Hurd; Sign Two to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  29. ^ "49ers Make a Series of Roster Moves Ahead of Week 14 vs. Bengals". 49ers.com. December 11, 2021.
  30. ^ "49ers release CB Saivion Smith after one game". USAToday.com. December 13, 2021.
  31. ^ "Lions claim cornerback off waivers after another defensive back lands on COVID list". DetroitNews.com. December 14, 2021.
  32. ^ "Detroit Lions announce pair of roster moves in advance of matchup vs. Packers". DetroitSportsNation.com. January 6, 2022.
  33. ^ "Detroit Lions sign 9 players to reserve/futures contracts". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. January 10, 2022.
  34. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 30, 2022.
  35. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2022.
  36. ^ "Lions place WR Quintez Cephus on injured reserve, sign 2 from practice squad". MLive.com. October 8, 2022.
  37. ^ "Lions' Saivion Smith taken off field in ambulance". ProFootballTalk.NBCsports.com. October 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "Detroit Lions practice squad moves: DB Saivion Smith placed on IR, WR Stanley Berryhill signed". PrideOfDetroit.com. October 19, 2022.
  39. ^ "Saivion Smith rejoins Lions, braces for neck surgery". ESPN.com. October 26, 2022.
  40. ^ "Detroit Lions' CB Saivion Smith to have neck surgery". DetroitSportsNation.com. October 26, 2022.
  41. ^ "Lions re-sign DB Saivion Smith". DetroitLions.com. April 17, 2023.
  42. ^ "Report: Lions re-sign DB Saivion Smith". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. April 17, 2023.
  43. ^ @Lions (August 23, 2023). "#Lions have waived S Saivion Smith with an injury settlement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

External links

  • Alabama Crimson Tide bio