Sutton SmithNorth Team

JUNIOR (2018):

• National rankings include seventh in sacks, 15th in tackles for loss, fourth in fumbles and third in blocked kicks.
• Versus Toledo, blocked his second punt of the season, recovered and returned it 27 yards for a TD to give NIU a 17-9 lead before half.
• Also forced a fumble, broke up a pass, recorded his ninth sack and 15th TFL. Tied for third all-time at NIU in career sacks and is fourth in tackles for loss.
• Has at least one TFL in 12 of NIU’s last 14 games dating to 2017.
• Had a sack and a TFL at Akron.
• Earned his second MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honor, and fifth of his career, vs. Ohio with two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries, including one on a strip sack when he also caused the fumble.
• Has sacked the QB and caused a fumble four times this year. Made four tackles, two for loss, with a sack at Eastern Michigan.
• Two of his four tackles at Florida State were for loss, and forced a fumble on a sack.
• Blocked a CMU punt and added a tackle for loss.
• MAC West Defensive Player of the Week with eight tackles, 4.5 for loss, and two sacks vs. Utah.
• Recorded five tackles, four solo, at Iowa with a forced fumble and a sack. Preseason second team All-American (Athlon, The Sporting News, The Athletic, USA Today.)  

SOPHOMORE (2017): 
• NIU’s second all-time Consensus All-American was named to 11 different All-America teams, was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. 
• Broke the NIU records for sacks and tackles for loss in a season and scored twice on fumble returns. 
• Led the nation in tackles for loss (2.3/game), ranked third in sacks (1.08/game) and fourth in fumbles recovered and forced.
• Nearly half (29.5) of his 63 total tackles on the season went for loss. 
• Wrecked havoc at Nebraska (9-16) with 3.5 TFLs, two sacks, a pass break-up and six tackles. 
• Tallied five tackles for minus 23 yards, a sack and six stops versus Boston College (9-1). 
• Made 5.5 tackles for loss and scored his second fumble return TD of 2017 versus Western Michigan (11-15) with a 58-yard score. 
• Earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third time after previously earning the honor versus Eastern Michigan (10-26) and Kent State (10-7). 
• Registered at least one TFL in 12 of 13 NIU games. 
• Made three TFLs vs. Eastern Michigan with a sack, six stops. 
• Scored on a strip, steal and 16-yard score at Bowling Green (10-21). 
• Forced three fumbles (vs. EIU, Buffalo, BG). 
• Made a career-high 10 stops to go with four TFLs and three sacks vs. Kent State.  

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2016):
• Made 15 tackles on the season with six solo tackles, nine assists, a sack and two tackles for a loss.
• Recorded his only sack of the season at Western Michigan (10-8) where he also got an assisted tackle.
• Made a season-high three tackles, including two solo stops, versus San Diego State (9-17).
• Appeared in all 12 games as a backup defensive end.

REDSHIRT (2015):
• Redshirted

HIGH SCHOOL: 
• Talented playmaker on both sides of the ball at Francis Howell.
• As a senior, tallied 2,456 all-purpose yards with more than 2,000 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns at tailback.
• Helped Howell go 11-1 and advance to the Missouri 6A state semifinals in 2014.
• Named 2014 St. Louis Dispatch All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year.
• Also named Large School Player of the Year in 2014 by local television station KSDK.
• As a junior, gained 1,682 all-purpose yards and scored 18 times.
• Advanced to the second round of the Missouri state playoffs in 2013.
• Two-time All-Gateway South Conference performer.

PERSONAL: 
• Born March 22, 1996, in Plano, Texas.
• Son of Chuck and Sandy Smith.
• His father, Chuck, played football at Middle Tennessee State.
• His mother, Sandy, played volleyball at Missouri State.
• Intends to major in business.