Isaac Smith

NFL Draft Profile: Isaac Smith

Position: Safety | School: Mississippi State | Class: Junior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 220 lbs | Archetype: Box Safety / Strong Safety

College Career Summary

Isaac Smith emerged as a premier defensive playmaker in the SEC through pure volume and a relentless motor. After a modest freshman year, Smith exploded in 2024, leading the SEC in total tackles (127) and proving he was the heartbeat of the Mississippi State defense. Despite the team's struggles, Smith remained a bright spot, earning Second Team All-SEC honors and establishing himself as a "downhill" enforcer.

In 2025, Smith took on even more leadership responsibility. While a mid-season injury limited him to 10 games, he remained incredibly productive, recording multiple double-digit tackle performances, including a standout 13-tackle Egg Bowl. He finished the season with 64 tackles, 1 sack, and his first career interception, earning Third Team All-American honors (PFSN) and solidifying his status as a top-tier safety prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 33 (10 in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 206 (64 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 2.5 (1.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 1.0 (All in 2025)

• Interceptions: 1 (All in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 6 (3 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Eastern Ky.	11 Tkl, 1 PD	A-	Leadership. Set the tone early with double-digit tackles.
@ Arizona State	17 Tkl	A	High Motor. Relentless pursuit; second-highest career tackle total.
vs. Toledo	15 Tkl	B+	Durability. Played high volume of snaps in a physical loss.
@ Florida	5 Tkl	B-	Worst Game. Struggled with tackling angles on the perimeter.
@ Texas	DNP	—	Missed due to injury.
vs. Northern Ill.	2 Tkl, 1 INT	A-	Star Impact. First career interception in a dominant win.
vs. Georgia	4 Tkl	B	Physical at the point of attack; solid box presence.
vs. Texas A&M	6 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B+	Competitor. Triggered fast into the backfield for a TFL.
@ Arkansas	11 Tkl	A-	Stamina. High-volume effort in a contested road game.
vs. UMass	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	Attributes. Recorded first career sack on a blitz.
@ Tennessee	20 Tkl	A+	Legendary. 10 tackles in the 1st quarter; pure enforcer performance.
vs. Missouri	4 Tkl	B	Sound communication; erased middle-of-field shots.
vs. Ole Miss	13 Tkl	A	Mental Toughness. Emotional leader in a high-stakes rivalry.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Run Support: Smith is a "box safety" in every sense. He led the SEC in tackles because of his Pursuit and willingness to mix it up with offensive linemen.

• Size and Build: At 220 lbs, he has the frame to withstand the physical toll of the NFL. He essentially plays as an extra linebacker.

• IQ & Communication: Often seen directing the secondary; he has a natural feel for diagnosing run plays before they develop.

• Tackling Reliability: He possesses a high "hit-to-wrap" ratio. When he makes contact, the ball carrier usually goes down immediately.

Weaknesses

• Deep Range: While he has solid straight-line speed, he lacks the elite "centerfield" range to be a primary single-high safety at the next level.

• Man Coverage Hips: Can appear a bit stiff when forced to mirror twitchy slot receivers in 1v1 situations; better suited for Zone or "Robber" roles.

• Injury History: Missing time in 2024 and 2025 due to injuries will lead to close scrutiny of his medical reports.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Strong Safety in a Cover 3 or Big Nickel scheme. He excels when allowed to play near the line of scrimmage as an "enforcer."

NFL Comparison: Vonn Bell (Bengals) / Budda Baker (Cardinals) - Lite

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 18/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 16/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Isaac Smith is a "throwback" safety who thrives on physicality. While modern NFL trends lean toward converted cornerbacks at safety, there is still a massive market for a player who can secure the tackle box and lead a defense. His performance at Mississippi State—leading the conference in tackles while playing for a struggling unit—speaks to his Competitor drive. If he clears medicals, he is a ready-made starter for a team needing a culture-setter in the secondary.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round