Georgia Bulldogs DB Tykee Smith Selected No. 89 Overall By Tampa Bay
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ATHENS - Georgia Bulldogs DB Tykee Smith was picked No. 89 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
One of several players to transfer to Georgia and make a big impact, Smith came to Athens from West Virginia prior to the 2021 season, but injuries kept him off the field for most of the season.
Smith’s role increased for the 2022 season where he consistently saw the field, playing in 14 games and helping Georgia win their second consecutive national championship. The sure-tackling defensive back made 28 stops that season.
As a starter in 2023, Smith was a Second Team All-American selection by CBS and a reliable defender for a Bulldog defense that was one of the nation’s best. Smith was Georgia’s most productive defender last fall, leading the team in tackles (70), solo stops (46), tackles for loss (8.5) and interceptions (4).
Smith patiently waited his turn in Athens, and now he’s off to Tampa Bay.
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2023:
Second Team All-American by CBS...Coaches All-SEC Second Team selection...saw action in every contest this season at DB, making 12 starts…led the team in tackles (70), solo stops (46), tackles for loss (8.5) and interceptions (4)…finished the season with two pass breakups and a pair of QB hurries...posted six tackles, one for a loss of four yards, in season-opening win against UT Martin...had 1.5 tackles for a loss of five yards and grabbed one interception to gain 12 yards in win over Ball State...recorded five tackles, including four solo with one assist, an interception and a pass breakup in conference-opening win over South Carolina...notched his third interception of the season in home win over UAB...tallied five tackles with 1.5 for loss, including a sack for a loss of six yards in win over Auburn...posted five stops, an interception and return of eight yards and one quarterback hurry in SEC win at Vanderbilt...had a team second-best six tackles, with one for a loss of two yards, and a pass breakup in road win over Florida...one of three players to tally a team-leading seven tackles, including a sack for a loss of nine yards and an additional assisted tackle for loss in win over Missouri...credited with six tackles, including five solo stops, in win over Ole Miss...notched a career-high team-leading 10 tackles, including eight solo stops, with a quarterback hurry in win over Tennessee...credited with seven stops, including a tackle for a loss of one yard, in win over Georgia Tech to round out the regular season...posted five tackles, including one for a loss of one yard, in the SEC Championship against Alabama...included on Senior Bowl Watch List.
2022:
Played in 14 games, starting in four...had 28 total stops...had two unassisted tackles in season-opening win over No. 11 Oregon...had three solo tackles in win over Samford...had three tackles and a QB hurry vs. Missouri...had a season-high six tackles in win at Mississippi State...had two tackles, a pass breakup and forced a fumble in win over Vanderbilt...three stops in win over Tennessee...five tackles, including a QB sack, in win over Georgia Tech...credited with two tackles in win over Ohio State during the CFP Semifinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl...had one sack for a loss of nine yards with two pass breakups in defeat of TCU in CFP National Championship Game.
2021:
Injury from pre-season camp kept him out of season's first five games...saw his first action in win at #18 Auburn and had three tackles...Included on pre-season watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate defensive player.
2020 (at West Virginia):
All-America First Team (Pro Football Focus, Rivals)...Second Team All-America by Football Writers, Sporting News and Phil Steele, Third Team by AP...All-Big 12 First Team by PFF and Phil Steele, 2nd team by AP...semifinalist for Paycom Jim Thorpe Award...played in all 10 games, starting in nine...fourth on team with 61 total tackles...tied for team lead in Interceptions with two, second on team in tackles for loss with 8.0...season-best nine stops, along with a TFL, pass breakup and interception in win over TCU...named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week afterwards...seven tackles (two TFLs) vs. Texas Tech...Eight tackles, two TFLs and a pass break vs. Kansas.
2019 (at West Virginia):
Freshman All-America honors by Football Writers...All-Big 12 Honorable Mention...played in 12 games at safety, starting in eight...fifth-leading tackler with 53 tackles, including 36 unassisted tackles, one sack and a forced fumble...two interceptions on the season, one vs. TCU and one vs. Iowa State that he returned 19 yards for a TD...six tackles, including four solos, against Oklahoma State.