Vikings draft Harrison Smith 29th overall

April 26, 2012|by Pete Byrne (pmbyrne@wsbt.com)

NEW YORK – The Minnesota Vikings didn't take a chance on Harrison Smith hanging around for six more picks. Instead, they traded up into the 1st round with the Baltimore Ravens, and drafted the former University of Notre Dame safety with the 29th overall pick.

Smith joins teammate Michael Floyd(Arizona-13th) as the second Fighting Irish player taken in the first round. It's the first Notre Dame has had two players drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1994.

Smith is the highest-drafted defensive player from Notre Dame since defensive lineman Renaldo Wynn was the 21^st overall selection by Jacksonville in the 1997 draft. Smith is the earliest Notre Dame defensive back selected since Jeff Burris was taken with the 27^thpick in the 1994 draft by Buffalo.

“Harrison Smith is one of the best leaders I’ve ever had on any of my teams,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. “He is an intelligent and instinctual player on the field and a true student of the game off the field. He’ll be a great fit for Minnesota’s defense and I can’t wait to watch his long and successful pro career.”

Smith becomes the second Notre Dame player drafted by the Vikings in the last two years, joining tight end KyleRudolph (selected in second round and 43^rd overall selection in 2011). Former Notre Dame center John Sullivan and tight end John Carlson are also on the Vikings.

Smith played both safety and linebacker at Notre Dame and finished his career with 309 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven interceptions, 28 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He is the only player in Notre Dame history to register at least 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 pass breakups.

Smith ranks second in career pass breakups at Notre Dame and ninth in career tackles. He recorded 222 tackles as a safety, the fifth-most tackles by a Notre Dame defensive back. Smith started 47 of 51 career games played, including the last 38 games of his career and 46 of the last 47 games he appeared. He opened 15 contests as an outside linebacker and started 32 games at safety.

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