Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith was born April 8, 1997, in Montezuma, Georgia, a small town in the central part of the state. His upbringing in rural Georgia shaped his no-nonsense public persona, and his path from small-town Georgia to NFL stardom reflects a remarkable combination of athletic gifts and disciplined work ethic. He has remained closely connected to his Montezuma community throughout his career.

Smith attended Macon County High School in Montezuma, where he was a top Georgia recruit. He signed with Georgia and became one of the most productive linebackers in Bulldogs history, earning the Butkus Award in 2017 as the nation's top linebacker and finishing as a unanimous All-American before declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears selected Smith eighth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He developed into one of the NFL's most productive linebackers during his time in Chicago before a trade to the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 elevated him into consensus All-Pro territory. His partnership with Baltimore's Defensive Player of the Year candidates has made him the centerpiece of one of the NFL's most consistently dominant defenses.

Smith has earned multiple first-team All-Pro selections and Pro Bowl appearances, with multiple seasons of 150-plus tackles and consistent recognition as one of the most complete linebackers in the league. His combination of sideline-to-sideline speed, tackling reliability, and coverage ability has made him a foundational piece of the Ravens' defensive identity under head coach John Harbaugh.

His career résumé includes multiple first-team All-Pro selections, numerous Pro Bowl appearances, and widespread recognition as one of the top off-ball linebackers of his generation. His consistent top-10-league tackle totals have placed him among the NFL's most productive defenders on a per-season basis.

Off the field, Smith has maintained a notably low-key public profile, focusing on craft rather than celebrity. He has supported youth football initiatives in his native Montezuma community and the Baltimore market, and he has been active with the Ravens' community outreach programs. He maintains endorsement partnerships with Nike and other brands. His thoughtful, measured approach to both football and public life has made him a respected veteran voice in the Ravens' locker room.