#32
Matthew Smith
Returning to Northwestern for 2026
Durham, N.C. → Hillside
via nusports.com ↗Matthew Smith
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
Career Arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
—
NFL
NFL Draft
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Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
David Braun
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Northwestern
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · Northwestern
Returning around him
- 2 Northwestern players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +9 net (17 in / 8 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Northwestern · Last season: 7-6 · Talent rank #57 · 2026 recruiting class #52
Background
2025 Redshirt First-Year: Did not see game action. 2024 First-Year: Did not see game action as a true first-year. High School: Three-star prospect rated by 247Sports … As a senior, played in eight games at Hillside HS, posting 60 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception, one...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology