#2

EJ Smith

LB · Nevada · Jr. · #2

Returning to Nevada for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

EJ Smith

LB · Nevada · Jr · #2

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
No recruit profile
CFB
College
Nevada
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025Nevada3-9HC: Jeff Choate · Run-leaning, slow tempo

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Nevada28151.50.0--2--
Career28151.50.0--2--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025

W 20–17

vs Sacramento State

2 SOLO  ·  4 TOT

A wire-to-wire battle — won by 3 at home.

How he plays

Play style

Is steady in every phase without a signature trait.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Nevada

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Linebacker · Nevada

Returning around him

  • 66% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
  • Transfer portal: -7 net (14 in / 21 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Nevada · Last season: 3-9 · Talent rank #119 · 2026 recruiting class #97

DNA match

Player DNA

Balanced Linebacker

Solid in every phase without a signature dimension.

LB

His 2025 production profile sits closest to DJ Lundy’s 2024 season.

DJ Lundy

80%match

Florida State · 2024

#2

Shane Perry

East Carolina · 2024

79%
#3

Shane Bruce

Coastal Carolina · 2025

All-Sun Belt
78%
#4

Maurice Wilmer

Nevada · 2022

78%
#5

Kalvyn Crummie

Army · 2022

75%

Matches DJ on

Solo tackle rate
Weight
Tackle volume

Differs from DJ on

Height (lower)
Class year (lower)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Dylan Labarbera's freshman season at Nevada (2024).

Nevada · 2024

All-Mountain West
#2

Max Alford

Utah State · 2022

84%
#3

Kyleb Howell

North Texas · 2020

83%
#4

Luke Fisher

Air Force · 2024

82%
#5

Maurice Wilmer

Nevada · 2022

81%

Matches Dylan on

TFL rate
Solo tackle rate
Weight

Heisman trajectory

Heisman futures · sportsbook market

#8 in market ▼ from #6 · 4 books

+10009.1% implied

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #12914

Final rank
#12914
Avg #13093.7
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #12914 this season.