Gophers add Harvard DT transfer Chris Smith from transfer portal

By: Tony Liebert |

Jan. 19, 2021: Former Harvard defensive tackle Chris Smith announced Wednesday, that he will be transferring to the University of Minnesota.

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Who is Chris Smith?:

Originally hailing from Detroit, Mich. Chris Smith played high school football for Cranbrook Kingswood, a popular private school in the Bloomfield Hills area of Michigan. After committing to Harvard, Smith appeared in nine games as a true freshman, recording five tackles and one half-sack. In 2019, his role grew. Playing in all 10 games, the 6-foot-2 DT recorded 21 total tackles and another half-sack. In 2020, the Ivy League canceled its football season, but Smith improved drastically over that time. In 2021 he broke out, totaling 40 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks, including three quarterback hurries and a team-high two forced fumbles, further earning First-Team All-Ivy League honors.
  • Scouting Report

Much like Clemson-transfer DT Darnell Jefferies, Smith is a bit undersized at the defensive tackles position, only listed at 6-foot-2, 293 pounds. But for what he lacks in size the Harvard grad makes up for in speed and technique. He is a very quick-twitch athlete, with all of the moves to shed blocks at an efficient level. There is no reason why he cannot be an above-average contributor next season, with the chance to breakout rushing the QB.

Highlights: 

Instant Reaction:

The Gophers clearly had a plan to attack the trenches this offseason in the transfer portal. Chris Smith joins, Chuck Filiaga, Quinn Carroll, Lorenza Surgers, and Darnell Jefferies as the fifth defensive or offensive lineman to join Minnesota from the portal. With so much turnover along the interior of the defensive line from last season, I definitely thought that at least one transfer was a major need for this team. Adding both Smith and Jefferies to an inexperienced group upfront will give new defensive line coach Brick Haley plenty of talent to work with, in his first season with the Gophers.

As for Smith specifically, he is a very exciting addition to this team. He does not have insane size, but he is a very technical and skilled player. He will likely battle, Jefferies and redshirt-junior Logan Richter for the starting spot alongside Trill Carter, but all four players should play a major role on this team next season.

What is next?:

30-year veteran assistant coach Brick Haley will have plenty of talent to work with, in his first season as the Gophers defensive line coach. This unit might not have the same top-end talent as last season, but they might have more overall depth. Smith really rounds out a group that now goes at least four deep along the outside and the interior. I would never rule out another addition from the portal at end or tackle, but this group now has a solid mix of veteran and young talent heading into next season.

  • Defensive Ends:
    • Thomas Rush
    • Jah Joyner
    • Lorenza Surgers (TR)
    • Austin Booker
    • Jalen Logan-Redding
    • Gage Keys
    • Danny Striggow
  • Defensive Tackles:
    • Trill Carter
    • Chris Smith (TR)
    • Darnell Jefferies (TR)
    • Logan Richter
    • Jacob Schuster
    • Deven Eastern
    • Luther McCoy

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