Nolan Smith (American football)
Nolan Sental Smith is an American football linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith played high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. High school career. Smith played for IMG Academy for his high school football career but he also attended Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia. Over the course of two years Smith played in 15 games totaling 88 tackles, 10.5 sacks, an interception, and he forced fumble. Nolan was rated as the number one player in the country and 20th best all-time by 247 Sports and his comparison was Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil  Mack. As a senior he was named All-USA First Team by USA Today and a First Team All-American by MaxPreps. Smith signed to play college football for the University of Georgia. College career. 2019 Season. Smith saw 11 games in his freshman season. In these games Smith recorded 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In the home opener against Murray State, Smith had 1.5 sacks and 3 tackles. 2020 Season. Smith played in all 10 regular season games. In these games Nolan stat line was 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Smith started his first game against Tennessee. In this  game he would only have one tackle. In the season opener vs Arkansas, Smith would tally 6 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 2021 Season. Smith played in 11 games. In the SEC opener against South Carolina, Smith would record a career high 8 tackles and he would also force a fumble. In the game vs Vanderbilt, Smith was named a team captain. Against rival Florida, Smith forced a fumble and got his first interception of his career in just a 39-second span. Against Missouri, Smith blocked a punt that resulted in a safety. Smith's final stats were 40 tackles , 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and one interception. Smith announced that he would return to Georgia for his senior season in 2022 rather than enter the 2022 NFL Draft.