Tykee Smith

Tykee Smith
refer to caption
Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024
No. 23 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2001-02-18) February 18, 2001 (age 23)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Imhotep Institute Charter
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College:West Virginia (2019–2020) Georgia (2021–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 3 / pick: 89
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Total tackles:33
Forced fumbles:2
Pass deflections:4
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tykee Quideir Smith (born February 18, 2001) is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at West Virginia and Georgia.

Early life

Smith attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] A three-star recruit, Smith committed to play college football at West Virginia University.[2][3]

College career

West Virginia

As a true freshman in 2019, Smith recorded 53 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions.[4] As a result, he was named to the Freshman All-American team.[5] The following year, Smith tallied 61 tackles and two interceptions, while being named an All-American.[6] On March 24, 2021, Smith announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.[7][8][9]

Georgia

On April 4, 2021, Smith announced his decision to transfer to the University of Georgia.[10][11][12] During his first year at Georgia, Smith played sparingly due to a knee injury.[13][14] Against Missouri the following season, he made key plays late in the game to help secure a 26–22 victory.[15] During the game, Smith contributed three tackles and a pass deflection. He finished the season with 29 tackles and two sacks.[16] During the 2023 season opener against UT Martin, Smith tallied six tackles before exiting the game with a knee injury.[17] He returned the following week against Ball State, recording an interception.[18] Smith tallied interceptions in three consecutive games after having interceptions against both South Carolina and UAB the following weeks.[19] He finished the season with 70 total tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.[20]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m) 		202 lb
(92 kg) 		31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.46 s 1.58 s 2.60 s 4.33 s 7.01 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[21][22]

Smith was selected in the third round (89th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[23]

Personal life

Smith is a Muslim.[24]

References

  1. ^ Hunt, Donald (November 18, 2020). "Former Imhotep Charter star Tykee Smith named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Whelan Jr., Tim (August 23, 2018). "Three-star safety Tykee Smith honors late friend, chooses West Virginia". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Tykee Smith's commitment: Why he picked West Virginia and the friend he's playing for". PennLive.com. August 23, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "West Virginia safety Tykee Smith named freshman All-American". WV MetroNews. January 13, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Hickey, Alex (February 2, 2020). "Tykee Smith's high school teammate McLeod commits to West Virginia". WV MetroNews. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Montgomery, Charles (August 30, 2023). "Stills and Smith named to AP All-America teams". The Daily Athenaeum - West Virginia University. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "WVU's Tykee Smith To Enter Transfer Portal". The Intelligencer. March 25, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Hertzel, Bob (March 26, 2021). "Safety Smith's transfer from WVU the latest case of a flawed system". Times West Virginian. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "West Virginia safety Tykee Smith entering transfer portal". AP News. March 25, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Schlabach, Mark (April 5, 2021). "Georgia adds ex-WVU CB Smith to secondary". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Hubbard, Drew (April 4, 2021). "West Virginia defensive back Tykee Smith transfers to Georgia". The Red and Black. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "Georgia lands All-American transfer defensive back Tykee Smith". 95.5 WSB. April 5, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Jackson, Devin (December 1, 2022). "Defensive back Tykee Smith's long road back for the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  14. ^ McCurley, Lance. "Tykee Smith gaining ground since his injury last season". www.dawg-watch.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Jackson, Devin (October 3, 2022). "Former Imhotep star Tykee Smith helps Georgia avert disaster in Missouri". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  16. ^ Towers, Chip. "Georgia Bulldogs believe they have a star in Tykee Smith". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Austin, Brooks (September 2, 2023). "JUST IN: Tykee Smith Suffers Injury in Season Opener". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Higgs, Samuel (September 15, 2023). "Tykee Smith's path to Georgia football". The Red and Black. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Shelton, J. C. (September 21, 2023). "Georgia DB Tykee Smith shares his 'why'". The Players' Lounge. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "NFL Draft Preview: Tykee Smith". The Red & Black. April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Tykee Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  22. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Tykee Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Carey, Maura (April 27, 2024). "Tampa Bay Buccaneers add Tykee Smith with pick No. 89 in the 2024 NFL Draft". Gulf Live. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tykee Smith, a Muslim, on balancing football and faith". Online Athens. Retrieved April 25, 2024.