Blogging The Boys
Here’s our scouting report on Mike Smith Jr
We continue looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys and give you our scouting report on each player. Today we are looking at defensive back Mike Smith Jr. from Eastern Kentucky.
DB
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Senior
3-star recruit
6’1”
206 lbs
Mike Smith Jr. attended First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he excelled as a defensive back. In his senior year, he averaged five tackles and three pass breakups per game, totaling two interceptions. His performance earned him all-conference honors and a three-star recruit rating. He was also recognized as a defensive captain during his high school tenure.
He began his college career at Appalachian State University, where he saw action in nine games as a true freshman. Most of his contributions came on special teams, though he also got occasional snaps at defensive back. Despite limited playing time, he managed to register four tackles and began building a foundation for the years ahead.
In his second season at Appalachian State, Smith appeared in 11 games and continued to contribute on special teams. However, coaching changes and a crowded depth chart limited his opportunities to establish a presence on defense and played only three snaps on defense all season. Seeking a better fit and more playing time, he entered the transfer portal following the season.
Smith transferred to Eastern Kentucky University and immediately began making an impact on the Colonels’ defense. In his first season with EKU, he played in 10 games and started five, finishing the year with 31 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and a pass breakup. His performance included a standout seven-tackle game against Gardner-Webb, signaling his emergence as a dependable defensive back.
Elevated to a full-time starter, Smith started all 11 games in 2023 and significantly increased his production. He recorded 56 total tackles, 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions, showcasing improved ball skills and coverage ability. One of his top performances came in a matchup against Tarleton State, where he tallied a career-high 10 tackles and made one interception. His consistency and playmaking helped solidify EKU’s secondary throughout the season.
As a senior, Smith served as a team captain and took his game to another level, earning national recognition. He led the team with 63 tackles and tied for the conference lead with four interceptions. He also added 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble cementing his reputation as one of the top defensive backs in the United Athletic Conference. His efforts earned him First-Team All-UAC and First-Team AFCA All-American honors, along with an invitation to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl.
845 Defensive Snaps
479 Coverage Snaps
63 Total Tackles
4 INT
10 Pass Breakups
1 Forced Fumble
82.6 Passer Rating Allowed
54% Completion Rate Allowed
3 Penalties
N/A
FCS All-American (2024)
First-Team All-UAC (2024)
Speed- 70
Acceleration- 67
Agility-...
