Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith
Wins the corner before the tackle can set. Four seasons at Duke, four different head coaches: David Cutcliffe, Mike Elko, Trooper Taylor and Manny Diaz. The receipt on tape: 3 tackles, 1 TFL against SMU, Week 9, 2024.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- game log
How it ended
Four seasons at Duke, 8 sacks — his college career is complete.
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2021–2024
4 coachesPlayed under 4 different head coaches: David Cutcliffe, Mike Elko, Trooper Taylor, and Manny Diaz. Multi-era developmental context.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Manny Diaz
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 1 · 2-deepR04 · Rotational
Rotational. Tackle volume for the position in rotation-piece range.
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 13 · 2024
W 31–28
vs Virginia Tech
4 TOT · 1 SOLO · 1 SACKS
Edged out Virginia Tech at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Bends the edge and wins with first-step quickness. Lighter frame, relentless motor.
CFB Index positional classification
DNA match
Player DNA
Speed Rusher
Bends the edge and wins with first-step quickness. Lighter frame, relentless motor.
His 2024 production profile sits closest to Tre'Mon Morris-Brash’s 2023 season.
Matches Tre'Mon on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Richard Jibunor's senior season at Troy (2023).
Matches Richard on