History of Roquan Smith in Timeline

Roquan Smith is a prominent American football linebacker currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. He gained recognition during his college career at the University of Georgia, where he distinguished himself as an exceptional player. Notably, Smith was the first Georgia Bulldog to receive the prestigious Butkus Award, recognizing him as one of the nation's top linebackers. His talent and performance led him to a successful transition to professional football, where he continues to excel as a key player for the Ravens.

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Full Timeline

April 8, 1997: Roquan Smith was born

On April 8, 1997, Roquan Daevon Smith was born. He is now an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL.

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2006: Brian Urlacher recorded 19 tackles

On November 21, 2021, Smith recorded a career-high total of 17 tackles, in a 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It was the most tackles by a Bears player in a single game since Brian Urlacher had 19 in 2006.

2008: Lance Briggs last linebacker with multiple interceptions for Bears

In 2019, during the Bears' 41-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, Smith was the team's first linebacker to achieve multiple interceptions in a game since Lance Briggs in 2008.

2015: Smith's freshman year at Georgia

In 2015, as a true freshman at the University of Georgia, Smith played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart.

2016: Smith's sophomore year at Georgia

In 2016, Smith started 10 of 13 games as a sophomore, recording 95 tackles for the Georgia Bulldogs.

2017: Smith wins MVP and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2017, Smith was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game and SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He also became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award.

May 8, 2018: Smith's car burglarized

On May 8, 2018, Smith's car was burglarized in Athens, Georgia, and a team-issued iPad along with some of Smith's personal belongings, including his college jerseys, helmet, and awards, were stolen.

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2018: Smith enters the NFL draft

In 2018, Roquan Smith decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and entered the NFL draft.

2018: Smith drafted by the Chicago Bears

In 2018, Smith was selected by the Chicago Bears with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft.

January 6, 2019: Smith's performance in Wild Card playoff game

On January 6, 2019, during the Bears' 16-15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild Card playoff game, Smith led the team with seven tackles and made an interception off Nick Foles.

December 9, 2019: Smith placed on injured reserve

On December 9, 2019, Smith was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in Week 14.

2019: Smith's multiple interceptions in a game

During the Bears' 41-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 of 2019, Smith intercepted Mike Glennon twice, making him the first Bears player with multiple interceptions in a game since Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

April 27, 2021: Bears exercise fifth-year option on Smith's contract

On April 27, 2021, the Bears exercised the fifth-year option on Smith's contract, guaranteeing him a salary of $9.7 million for the 2022 season.

August 2022: Smith requests trade from the Bears

In early August 2022, Smith announced he requested a trade from the Bears due to feeling undervalued by the new front office regime. On August 20, 2022, Smith ended his hold out from practices and stated he would no longer continue negotiating with the Bears' front office for the remainder of the 2022 season.

October 31, 2022: Smith traded to the Baltimore Ravens

On October 31, 2022, Smith was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for A. J. Klein, a 2023 second round pick, and a 2023 fifth round pick.

2022: Smith named to NFL Top 100 Players of 2022

In 2022, Smith was ranked 84th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list and was named to NFL.com's All-Pro team and the Associated Press' second team All-Pro.

January 10, 2023: Smith signs extension with the Ravens

On January 10, 2023, Smith signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens, becoming the highest-paid linebacker in the league, negotiating the deal himself without an agent. He was also ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

May 2023: Smith changes jersey number to '0'

In May 2023, Smith changed his number to '0', becoming the first Raven ever to wear that number.

November 12, 2023: Smith records career-high tackles against Browns

On November 12, 2023, Smith was credited with a career-high 21 tackles in a loss to the Cleveland Browns, becoming one of only two Ravens in franchise history to record at least 20 tackles in a single game.