Irv Smith Jr.

Irvin Martin Smith Jr. (born August 9, 1998) is an American football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted in second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Vikings.

Early years

Smith Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 9, 1998. Shortly after being born, he moved to Arizona where he spent the first 14 years of his life. Smith Jr. moved back to New Orleans at age 14 and attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he played high school football. As a senior, he had 31 receptions for 558 yards and four touchdowns. He originally committed to Texas A&M University to play college football, but changed to the University of Alabama.

College career

After not recording a reception as a true freshman at Alabama in 2016, Smith Jr, had 14 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games as a sophomore in 2017. He returned to Alabama as a starter in 2018. On January 11, 2019, Smith announced that he would declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

College statistics

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

2019

Smith Jr. was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round with the 50th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Smith made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons but did not record any meaningful statistics. He recorded his first reception in the next game against the Green Bay Packers. He recorded a season-high and team-leading 60 receiving yards on three receptions against the Oakland Raiders in the following game. He scored his first professional touchdown in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos on a 10-yard reception from Kirk Cousins. Overall, as a rookie, he appeared in all 16 games and started six. He recorded 36 receptions for 311 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

2020

In Week 9, against the Detroit Lions, Smith had two receiving touchdowns in the same game for his first multi-touchdown game as a professional.
In Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Day, Smith had two receiving touchdowns during the 52–33 loss. He finished the 2020 season with 30 receptions for 365 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games and seven starts.

2021

On September 1, 2021, it was revealed that Smith underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which prevented him from playing for the entire 2021 season. He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021.

2022

On November 1, 2022, Smith was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 8 win over the Arizona Cardinals. In the 2022 season, Smith had 25 receptions for 182 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in eight games and one start. He was activated on January 7, 2023. During the Vikings' Wild Card Round loss to the New York Giants, Smith had a receiving touchdown.

Cincinnati Bengals

2023

On March 30, 2023, Smith Jr. signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was named the starting tight end on the depth chart to begin the season. Smith suffered a hamstring injury during the Bengals' Week 3 win against the Los Angeles Rams. His injury sidelined him for several weeks, and a rise in the production and play of Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample caused Smith to lose the starting job upon his return.

In Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith looked to be in line for his first touchdown of the season, catching a screen pass from Joe Burrow in the red zone, but fumbled the ball resulting in a turnover in the final two minutes of the first half. He caught his first touchdown pass of the season in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills.

Personal life

His father, Irv Smith Sr., played college football at the University of Notre Dame and in the NFL for the Saints, 49ers, and Cleveland Browns.

Career NFL statistics

Regular season

Postseason

References

External links

Cincinnati Bengals bioAlabama Crimson Tide bio
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Irv Jr.
1998 births
Living people
Players of American football from New Orleans
Brother Martin High School alumni
American football tight ends
Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Minnesota Vikings players
Cincinnati Bengals players