Height: 6-2
Weight: 204
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Jaquan Brisker, Juan Thornhill

2026 NFL Combine Results

Pros of Genesis Smith

• Incredible speed and quickness. Smith’s athleticism allows him to be all over the field faster than his opponents.
• Good diagnosis skills, Smith reads the quarterback’s eyes well and is able to gain a step or two because of it. Compliments well with his speed to locate the ball and the catch point quickly.
• Recovery speed is just as good as his coverage speed, there is rarely a play Smith gets burned on.

Cons of Genesis Smith

• Very poor run defender, lacks the play strength and aggression to be a thumper while defending the run.
• Same play strength limitations limits what Smith can do against bigger bodied receivers, tight ends, and running backs in man coverage
• Poor tackler, takes weird angles when squaring up ball carriers.

Background

A former three-star and Arizona native, Smith found his way to the field earlier than most and made it hard to take him off. After assuming a full time starting position in 2024, Smith’s production and ability to always be around the ball earned him Big 12 co-defensive player of the week honors in 2024 and a spot on the third team all-Big 12 in 2025.

Player Evaluation

Genesis Smith wont provide much in terms of being a run defending thumper type safety, but will absolutely pay dividends when the ball is in the air. Smith has the type of speed to never be out of a play, and will make quarterbacks pay who get lazy in their progressions. With a more slender frame, Smith still has some work to do in terms of run defense and tackling technique to become an every day starter, but he projects to slot in very nicely as a rotational guy in year one.

A to Z Rankings

A to Z Big Board Ranking: 134

A to Z Draft Grade: 6.27

Draft projection: Middle Day Two, Early Day Three