Genesis Smith

NFL Draft Profile: Genesis Smith

Position: Safety | School: Arizona | Class: Junior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 204 lbs | Archetype: Range Free Safety / Post-Safety

College Career Summary

Genesis Smith emerged as a cornerstone of the Arizona secondary through a combination of elite length and instinctive ball skills. A local product from Chandler, AZ, Smith made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2023, appearing in all 13 games and sealing a 10-win season with a critical interception in the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma. In 2024, he took over as a primary starter, leading the Wildcats in interceptions (3) and earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

The 2025 season saw Smith evolve into a high-volume tackler while maintaining his reputation as a "plus-one" defender in the passing game. He finished the regular season with a career-high 77 tackles and 8 pass breakups, proving he could handle the rigors of a full SEC-style schedule in the Big 12. Smith is widely regarded as a "film junkie" whose pre-snap adjustments helped stabilize a young Arizona defense.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 37

• Total Tackles: 164

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 6.5

• Interceptions: 5 (3 in 2024, 1 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 14 (8 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 4 (2 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Hawaii	4 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Assignment sound; erased the deep post.
vs. Weber State	7 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Star Impact. First INT of the year; showed elite ball tracking.
vs. Kansas State	8 Tkl, 3 PD	A-	Play Recognition. Clamped down on intermediate crossers.
@ Iowa State	7 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B-	Weakness. Struggled with tackling angles in the second level.
vs. Oklahoma State	2 Tkl	C+	Quiet game; wasn't challenged vertically.
vs. BYU	10 Tkl, 1 FF	A	Stamina. Played 70+ snaps in a physical 2OT battle.
@ Houston	4 Tkl, 2 PD	B+	High Motor. Consistent effort in pursuit from the backside.
@ Colorado	3 Tkl, 1 FR	B	Mental Toughness. Recovered a fumble during a momentum swing.
vs. Kansas	8 Tkl	B+	Reliable "eraser" role; stopped several breakaway runs.
@ Cincinnati	2 Tkl	C-	Worst Game. Missed a critical wrap-up on a long TD run.
vs. Baylor	16 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	A+	Competitor. Massive tackle production in a high-tempo game.
@ Arizona State	6 Tkl, 1 PD	A-	Leadership. Directed the secondary in a rivalry road win.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Prototypical Size/Length: Smith possesses a massive 6'6" wingspan on a 6'2" frame, allowing him to tip passes that other safeties can't reach.

• Ball Skills: A former high-volume playmaker in high school (16 INTs), he has a natural "feel" for the flight of the ball and transitions from defender to returner instantly.

• Range: He has the "centerfielder" range necessary to play single-high. His 4.30-second pro-agility shuttle translates to his ability to click-and-close on downhill routes.

• IQ: He is a vocal leader who was frequently seen correcting the alignments of younger corners and linebackers pre-snap.

Weaknesses

• Tackling Form: While his tackle numbers were high in 2025, he can be a "grabber." He needs to improve his pad level and drive through ball carriers rather than relying on his reach.

• Weight/Bulk: At 204 lbs, he can be bullied by "downhill" NFL tight ends in the run game. Adding 10 lbs of functional mass without losing speed is critical.

• Deep Zone Discipline: He occasionally gambles on underneath routes, leaving the deep third vulnerable to "sucker" double moves.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Free Safety in a Single-High (Cover 1/3) or Split-Field system where he can roam the back end.

NFL Comparison: Marcus Williams (Ravens)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 18/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 18/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 91/100

Genesis Smith is a high-ceiling safety prospect who combines rare physical length with high-level processing. While he isn't the most "violent" tackler in the 2026 class, his ability to take away the deep half of the field makes him a high-value asset in a pass-heavy league. His 2025 film shows a player who has mastered the "eraser" role—stopping explosive plays before they happen. If he adds bulk and cleans up his tackling mechanics, he has the potential to be a 10-year starter and a defensive captain at the next level.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round