Harrison Smith is one of the top safeties in the NFL, known for his hard-hitting style, excellent football IQ, and ability to make game-changing plays. Smith has been a cornerstone of the Minnesota Vikings defense for many years, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. His versatility and leadership on the field have made him one of the top safeties of his era.

Early Life and College Career

Harrison Smith was born on February 2, 1989, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He attended Knoxville Catholic High School, where he was a standout in both football and basketball. Smith’s athleticism and football IQ were evident early on, and he received numerous college scholarship offers.

Smith went on to play college football at the University of Notre Dame. During his time at Notre Dame (2007–2011), Smith was known for his leadership, versatility, and playmaking ability. He played both safety and linebacker in college, and his ability to cover wide receivers, defend the run, and rush the passer made him a valuable defensive weapon for the Fighting Irish.

Smith’s standout college career led to him being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, 29th overall, by the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Career

Minnesota Vikings (2012–Present)

Harrison Smith was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft (29th overall). He quickly became a key player on the Vikings’ defense, known for his hard-hitting style, intelligence, and ability to make plays all over the field.

• Rookie Season: Smith made an immediate impact in his rookie season, finishing with 69 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He was named to the All-Rookie Team and showed he had the skills to be a top-tier safety in the NFL.
• Pro Bowls and All-Pro Selections: Over the years, Smith earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. He became known as one of the best safeties in the league for his ability to cover receivers, defend the run, and provide leadership in the secondary. His physicality and ability to take the ball away from opposing offenses made him a key asset for the Vikings’ defense.
• 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Consideration: In 2017, Smith had one of his best seasons, finishing with 5 interceptions, 2 sacks, and an NFL-leading 9 passes defended among safeties. His leadership on the field helped guide the Vikings’ defense to one of the league’s top rankings. While he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year honors, his performance was widely praised, and he was named a First-Team All-Pro.
• Playoff Success and Leadership: Smith was a critical part of the Vikings’ success in the 2017 playoffs, where they made it to the NFC Championship Game. He continued to show his ability to make big plays in crucial moments, and his veteran presence has been a steadying influence on the defense.

Playing Style and Strengths

• Versatility: One of Harrison Smith’s most defining traits is his versatility. He can play both as a free safety and strong safety and is often used in different defensive alignments to exploit his skills. Smith is also known for his ability to line up close to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker, allowing him to impact both the passing and running games.
• Football IQ: Smith’s intelligence is one of his standout qualities. He’s known for his ability to read offenses, diagnose plays quickly, and make the right decisions. This has allowed him to be in the right place at the right time, creating turnovers and setting the tone for the defense.
• Physicality and Tackling: Smith is a hard hitter, capable of delivering punishing tackles in both the run and pass games. He is a fierce competitor and often finds ways to disrupt opposing offenses with his ability to read plays and deliver clean, forceful hits.
• Ball Skills and Playmaking: Smith is also known for his ability to create turnovers. He has consistently been one of the NFL’s leaders in interceptions among safeties and has a knack for making timely plays. His physical style of play and ability to disrupt passing lanes make him a dangerous player in the secondary.
• Leadership: As a team captain for much of his career, Smith has been a key leader in the Vikings’ locker room. His work ethic, dedication, and leadership on and off the field have made him a respected figure within the Vikings organization.

Legacy and Impact

Harrison Smith is widely regarded as one of the best safeties of his generation. His ability to play the game with intelligence, physicality, and versatility has set him apart as a premier player at his position. He has played a key role in the Vikings’ defense for over a decade, helping them remain competitive and often being the anchor of the secondary.

• Minnesota Vikings Legacy: Smith is one of the greatest safeties in Minnesota Vikings history. His ability to impact games and make plays in crucial moments has earned him a lasting place in the team’s defensive lore. Smith has been a key part of a defense that consistently ranks among the best in the league and has played a vital role in several successful playoff campaigns for the Vikings.
• Consistency and Longevity: Throughout his career, Smith has been remarkably consistent. Even as he gets older, he has maintained a high level of play, continuing to be one of the top safeties in the NFL. His longevity and continued success into his 30s have earned him recognition as one of the top defensive players in the league.
• Hall of Fame Consideration: As of now, Smith has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but his sustained excellence over his career and his impact on one of the NFL’s top defenses may give him consideration in the future. His stats, including numerous interceptions, forced fumbles, and tackles, along with his ability to make clutch plays, have made him a candidate for future Hall of Fame discussions.

Career Highlights and Achievements

• Pro Bowls: 6-time Pro Bowl selection (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• All-Pro Selections: 3-time First-Team All-Pro (2017, 2018, 2020), 1-time Second-Team All-Pro (2019)
• NFL Defensive Player of the Year Candidate: Strong consideration in 2017
• Interceptions: Over 30 career interceptions
• Tackles: Over 800 career tackles
• Sacks: Over 10 career sacks
• Defensive Leadership: Key part of Vikings defense during multiple playoff runs, including NFC Championship in 2017.

Summary

• Position: Safety
• NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings (2012–Present)
• Pro Bowls: 6-time selection
• All-Pro Selections: 3-time First-Team All-Pro, 1-time Second-Team All-Pro
• Career Stats: Over 30 career interceptions, 800+ tackles, 10+ sacks
• Legacy: Harrison Smith is regarded as one of the NFL’s top safeties for his versatility, football IQ, and leadership. He has been the heart of the Vikings’ defense for over a decade, and his ability to make big plays in critical moments has solidified his status as one of the league’s best.