Smith was expected to be a star for the Trojans after earning High School All-American honors. He actually started building his reputation as a fourth-grader, as he suited up against eighth-graders due to his instincts and toughness. The honors started early in his collegiate career, garnering Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Pac-12 notice in 2015 (78 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, three pass breakups). The Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year only played in 10 games (nine starts) because he had season-ending surgery on torn knee ligaments. Smith somehow returned for the 2016 season opener, receiving second-team all-conference accolades with 83 tackles, seven for loss, and four pass breakups in 13 starts. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 player in 2017, starting 13 of 14 games played (sat out first half of opener due to targeting call in previous year's bowl game). He led USC with 112 stops, 11 of which went for losses, intercepting one pass, and breaking up three passes. He played in only 10 games in 2018, but still landed second-team all-conference notice by leading the Trojans with 81 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and four pass breakups.

Smith was expected to be a star for the Trojans after earning High School All-American honors. He actually started building his reputation as a fourth-grader, as he suited up against eighth-graders due to his instincts and toughness. The honors started early in his collegiate career, garnering Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Pac-12 notice in 2015 (78 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, three pass breakups). The Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year only played in 10 games (nine starts) because he had season-ending surgery on torn knee ligaments. Smith somehow returned for the 2016 season opener, receiving second-team all-conference accolades with 83 tackles, seven for loss, and four pass breakups in 13 starts. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 player in 2017, starting 13 of 14 games played (sat out first half of opener due to targeting call in previous year's bowl game). He led USC with 112 stops, 11 of which went for losses, intercepting one pass, and breaking up three passes. He played in only 10 games in 2018, but still landed second-team all-conference notice by leading the Trojans with 81 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and four pass breakups.

Inside linebacker whose four-year run can best be described as smart and steady. Smith is lacking the physical traits and athletic ability to excite general managers and his tape is hardly splashy. However, he has a keen sense of play development and uses smart angles and proper technique to do his job effectively. He could hear his name called in the middle rounds, but it won't take long for a coaching staff to look beyond his limitations and see a future starter.