Terell Smith

Terell Smith
Smith (32) with the Chicago Bears in 2024
No. 39 – Pittsburgh Steelers
PositionCornerback
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (1999-07-27) July 27, 1999 (age 27)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight
207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouth Gwinnett (Snellville, Georgia)
CollegeMinnesota (2018–2022)
NFL draft2023: 5th round, 165th overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Tackles68
Forced fumbles1
Fumble recoveries1
Pass deflections10
Interceptions1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Terell Smith (born July 27, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Smith played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Early life

Smith was born on July 27, 1999, in The Bronx, New York, and later moved to Snellville, Georgia, where he attended South Gwinnett High School. He committed to play college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota.

College career

Smith became a starter at cornerback early into his freshman season at Minnesota. He finished the season with 43 tackles, one interception, and eight passes broken up. Smith saw limited playing time as a backup over the next two seasons after Benjamin St-Juste transferred into the program and became an immediate starter. He redshirted his junior season. He entered his redshirt junior year as a starter but was benched halfway through the season Smith regained his starting spot as a senior and finished the season with 38 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks with two interceptions and five passes broken up.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 0+1⁄2 in
(1.84 m)		204 lb
(93 kg)		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		9 in
(0.23 m)		6 ft 4+3⁄4 in
(1.95 m)		4.41 s1.50 s2.52 s4.30 s7.00 s34.0 in
(0.86 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		14 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day

Chicago Bears

Smith was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He played in 12 games with four starts, recording 49 tackles, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble as a rookie. In 2024, Smith played in 14 games with two starts, recording 19 tackles, four passes defensed, and an interception.

In the 2025 preseason, Smith suffered a torn patellar tendon and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 24, 2025.

On August 30, 2026, the Bears waived Smith as a part of final roster cuts.

Washington Commmanders

On September 1, 2026, the Washington Commanders signed Smith to their practice squad.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On October 6, 2026, Smith was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers off the Commanders practice squad.

References

  1. ↑ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 259. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  2. ↑ Christensen, Joe (March 10, 2017). "Terell Smith commits to Gophers football, moving class into top 20 nationally". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Speedy Gophers freshman cornerback Terell Smith off to a fast start". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. September 13, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ Clough, Sammy (July 22, 2019). "After big freshman season at Minnesota, South Gwinnett grad Terell Smith aiming for more". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Ruane, Blake (November 16, 2022). "Minnesota Football: In appreciation of Terell Smith". TheDailyGopher.com. SB Nation. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Greder, Andy (March 15, 2023). "Gophers' Terell Smith rallied to catch the NFL's attention". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Terell Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  8. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Terell Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  9. ↑ Mayer, Larry (April 29, 2023). "Bears draft Minnesota CB Terell Smith in fifth round". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Chicago Bears announce roster moves". ChicagoBears.com. August 24, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Chicago Bears announce roster moves". ChicagoBears.com. August 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ Selby, Zach (September 1, 2026). "Commanders sign CB to practice squad". Commanders.com.
  13. ↑ Varley, Teresa. "Roster moves continue for Steelers". Steelers.com. Retrieved October 7, 2026.