Earlham College

Jeff Smith was a 4-year starter in football at defensive tackle for the Quakers from 1982-85. The next year, he was the team’s co-captain and was named the Most Valuable Player and defensive MVP. Smith earned spots on the All-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 21 and All-College Athletic Conference teams in 1984 and 1985. Nationally, he was an All-NAIA All-American in 1985, after receiving honorable mention in 1984 when the Quakers had the fourth-ranked defense in the nation surrendering 7.8 points per game.

After leaving Earlham, Smith participated in the Philadelphia Eagles training camp and played for the Cincinnati Bengals during a National Football League player’s strike in 1987.