Tye Smith signs with the Vikings after playing with the team in 2021, spending most of his time on the practice squad and seeing action in five games. Prior to joining the Vikings, Smith spent time with the Tennessee Titans (2017-20), Washington Commanders (2016) and Seattle Seahawks (2015-16). With the Titans, Smith played in 36 games (7 starts), recording 44 tackles, one interception, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles, helping the club to three playoff berths, which was highlighted by an AFC Championship run in 2019. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native recorded his lone career interception against Miami in 2017 and also blocked a kick against the Colts in 2019, returning it 63 yards for a touchdown. The Towson product was drafted in the fifth round (170th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Seahawks after starting 42 games for the Tigers.
• Majored in sports management with a minor in business.
• Comes from a family of 8 children.
• During time with Tennessee, helped team to 3 playoff berths in 4 seasons, including going from #6 seed in AFC in 2019 to advance to the AFC Championship game at Kansas City, posting road wins over New England and Baltimore en route to the AFC title game.
• Drafted by Seattle in 5th round (#170 overall) in 2015.
• Played in 4 games as a rookie in 2015 but waived following preseason in 2016, joining Seattle practice squad on 9/8/16.
• Waived from Seattle practice squad on 9/20/16 and joined Washington practice squad on 9/27/16 where he spent the rest of the season.
• Signed by Tennessee as a free agent on 1/1/17, starting a 4-season tenure with the Titans.
• Spent 2020 training camp with Tennessee, released on 9/5/20 and signed to practice squad the following day. Moved from practice squad to active roster on 9/14/20.
• Placed on Titans Injured Reserve on 11/7/20, designated to return from IR on 11/28/20 and played the following day at Indianapolis (11/29).
• Signed as a free agent by Minnesota on 6/3/21.
• Matched career-high with 3 starts and played in 12 regular-season games, also playing in Wild Card playoff game vs. Baltimore.
• Helped Tennessee win the AFC South with an 11-5 mark.
• Started games vs. Pittsburgh (10/25), at Jacksonville (12/13) and vs. Detroit (12/20).
• Had season-high 4 tackles vs. Pittsburgh (10/25) and added 5 yards of INT return yardage after Dane Cruikshank lateraled him the ball following an INT off Ben Roethlisberger on the final play of the first half.
• Spent 2020 training camp with Tennessee, released on 9/5/20 and signed to practice squad the following day. Moved from practice squad to active roster on 9/14/20.
• Was inactive for game at Cincinnati (11/1), was placed on Titans Injured Reserve on 11/7/20, designated to return from IR on 11/28/20 and played the next day at Indianapolis (11/29).
• Moved into starting lineup late in the season for the playoff-bound Titans, starting 3 of the final 5 games of the season and playing in all 3 postseason games as the club went from the #6 seed in the AFC to playing in the AFC Championship game after a pair of upset road wins at New England and Baltimore in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds, respectively.
• In consecutive weeks, had a hand in a Titans TD, returning a blocked Adam Vinatieri FG by Dane Cruikshank 63 yards for a TD at Indianapolis (12/1) and the following week had a FF on Raiders TE Darren Waller that was recovered and returned for a score by Titans LB Kamalei Correa at Oakland (12/8).
• Started games at Oakland (12/8), vs. Houston (12/15) and at Houston (12/29).
• Had career-high 8 tackles in consecutive games at Indianapolis (12/1) and at Oakland (12/8).
• Was inactive for 6 of the opening 10 games of the season before moving into the lineup for more playing time.
• Was off the Titans roster for 1 game, waived on 11/2 and re-signed on 11/5, missing game at Carolina (11/3).
• Placed on Injured Reserve on 7/31/18 after suffering an injury during training camp in his 2nd season with the club.
• Earned 1st career start and played in 15 regular season games for the playoff-bound Titans, who went 9-7 and finished runner-up in the AFC South.
• Started both playoff games in Wild Card win at Kansas City and Divisional Round loss at New England.
• Started 1st career game at LA Rams (12/24) and notched then-career high 6 tackles.
• Notched 8 special teams tackles during the season.
• Snared 1st career INT on a deflected Jay Cutler pass at Miami (10/8) and returned it 14 yards.
• Had 5 tackles in Wild Card playoff game at Kansas City and 3 more in Divisional Round game at New England.
• Moved from Seattle practice squad to Washington practice squad during the season; was not elevated to the 53-man roster during the season.
• Teammates with Vikings QB Kirk Cousins during time with Washington.
• Spent training camp and preseason with Seattle as a 2nd-year player for Seahawks, but was waived following preseason and joined their practice squad on 9/8.
• Waived from Seattle practice squad on 9/20/16 and joined Washington practice squad on 9/27/16 where he spent the rest of the season.
• Made 53-man roster coming out of preseason as a 5th-round pick (#170 overall) and played in 4 games during the season but was inactive for 10 games in regular season and both playoff contests.
• Seahawks went 10-6, runner-up in the NFC West and advanced to the playoffs, playing Wild Card game at Minnesota and Divisional Round game vs. Carolina.
• Played in 1st career game vs. Chicago (9/27) and recorded a special teams tackle, his lone stats for his rookie season.
• Played vs. Detroit (10/5), vs. Cleveland (12/10) and vs. St. Louis (12/27).
• Made 42 starts in 50 games at Towson, ending his Tigers career ranked #5 in career tackles with 312 and added 5 INTs (1 TD) and 28 PD.
• Helped 2013 and 2011 squads to CAA titles and the 2013 club went 13-3, playing in the FCS Championship Game against North Dakota State.
• Started all 12 games as a senior in 2014 en route to All-America honors by Associated Press for the FCS and a 1st-Team All-Colonial Athletic Association nod.
• As a junior, had career-best 103 tackles and started 15 of 16 games on the season, earning 2nd-Team All-CAA.
• Started all 11 games as a sophomore in 2012, led team with 75 tackles and was named 3rd-Team All-CAA.
• Made 4 starts in 11 games as a true freshman in 2010 and snared a pair of INTs.
• Standout CB/WR/KR at Wakefield High in Raleigh.
