The Las Vegas Raiders are moving on from former Georgia Bulldogs safety Chris Smith II after three seasons. Smith II, a 2023 fifth-round NFL draft pick, primarily served a special teams role for the Raiders.
Las Vegas waived Smith, who had played 71% of the Raiders’ special teams snaps this season, after the Raiders lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Las Vegas is just 2-8. Smith has appeared in 36 games and has 10 total tackles in his NFL career.
Smith will look for a new NFL team or could possibly return to the Raiders on their practice squad. The Raiders waiving Smith made room for them to activate quarterback Aidan O’Connell from injured reserve.
The former Georgia safety won two national championships during his time in college. At Georgia, Smith posted six interceptions (including a 74-yard pick-six against Clemson in 2021), 131 tackles and had one memorable blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the SEC championship.
Former Georgia Bulldogs on the Raiders after Smith’s release
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