Former Carolina Cougars defensive end Chris Smith has failed at age 31, according to a report from the Salisbury Post. The origin of death is unknown.
The Mount Ulla, North Carolina, native was a key member of West Rowan High School’s 2008 State Crown Platoon. Smith played his council ball at Arkansas, where he totaled 122 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks, leading him to this point.
A fifth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He played eight times in the NFL with the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Cougars, Aggressors, and Texans.
He appeared in 72 games throughout his career, primarily as a rotational defensive end linebacker while also playing a role on special teams.
His stylish season came back in 2017 with the Bengals, where he recorded 26 tackles, 9 QB hits, four tackles for loss, and three sacks. He signed with the Cougars as a free agent in May 2020 but was released just two months before the start of training camp.
