Smith teamed with Mike Mickens to form one of the elite cornerback tandems in college football. The two combined for 26 interceptions during their careers together, more than any other active duo in the NCAA in 2008. Always known for his outstanding hands, the right cornerback added a new wrinkle to his game as a senior taking over full-time punt return duties to add to his resume that included handling the bulk of kickoff return chores as a junior.

While not the celebrated tackler that Mickens is, Smith is a top-notch pass defender, breaking up 21 passes as a two-year starter. He ranks tied for second in school history with 12 interceptions and set the Bearcats' single-season record with eight pass thefts in 2007, ranking second nationally in that category. He also collected 179 yards in returns, the fifth-best total in Cincinnati annals, as his two touchdown returns are good for a third place tie in school history.

Causing problems for opposing quarterbacks is commonplace for Smith, who registered 11 interceptions, returning five for touchdowns, en route to earning All-State first-team honors as a senior at Independence High School. He closed out his career with 20 pass thefts, returning seven for scores.

Smith also caught 14 touchdown passes and totaled seven punt or kickoff returns for scores as a senior. He earned first-team All-City and All-District honors. He was named to the Columbus Dispatch-Agonis All-Star team, as he helped the team to a regional finals appearance in the state playoffs.

Smith enrolled at Cincinnati in 2004, spending the season on the scout team. The Bearcat Academic Honor Roll selection appeared briefly in seven games, mostly on special teams in 2005, finishing with one solo tackle. He was the top reserve at both cornerback positions in 2006, recording 23 tackles (17 solos) with three pass deflections, a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He made the most of his opportunity in his only game as a starter, earning Big East Player of the Week honors after posting six tackles and returning an interception 84 yards (fourth-longest return in school history) vs. Rutgers. He also gained 65 yards on four kickoff returns that campaign.

Smith took over right cornerback duties as a junior, coming up with 49 tackles (39 solos) that included 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused and recovered two fumbles, as he also deflected eight passes. His eight interceptions set the school single-season record and led the Big East Conference while ranking second in the nation. He also amassed 296 yards on 12 kickoff returns (24.7 avg), earning second-team All-Big East recognition.

In 2008, Smith was chosen All-Big East third-team. He started all 14 games, picking up the leadership slack in the secondary when Mickens was sidelined late in the season. He broke up 10 passes, intercepted two others and caused a fumble. He also had 53 tackles (36 solos) with 3.5 stops for loss. His versatility proved invaluable, as he lined up at free safety for the first five games before returning to his more familiar right cornerback spot for the rest of the schedule. He also averaged 9.5 yards on 23 punt returns.

Positives: Aggressive, adequately-sized corner with long arms and confidence. … Stays low in his pedal and flips his hips open well. … Good hands for the interception when closing forward on the ball. … Attacks quick screens behind the line of scrimmage, will throw his body into the tackle. … Has played some free safety when needed and also returned kicks. … Works hard to improve his game.

Negatives: Fits best in a zone system where he can see the play in front of him and close on the ball. … Plays near the line at times but does not get his hands on receivers. … Gambles to get to the ball. … Only adequate straight-line speed. … Has trouble adjusting to the ball in the air and making the interceptions when moving backward. … Has a tough time getting off wide receiver's blocks due to his lack of size and upper-body strength. … Gets turned around easily. … Lacks the suddenness to handle quick slot receivers. … Not a physical tackler. … Whiffs on attempts to cut tackle because he ducks his head. … Questionable ball security, decision-making and speed as a punt returner.

Smith started 28 of 47 games at Cincinnati; 23 at right cornerback, five at free safety … Recorded 126 tackles (93 solos) with 7.5 stops for losses of 16 yards, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries … Gained 353 yards on 17 kickoff returns (20.76 avg) and 219 yards on 23 punt returns (9.5 avg) … Deflected 21 passes and intercepted 12 others for 179 yards in returns (14.92 avg) and two touchdowns … His 12 pass thefts rank 10th in Big East Conference history and tied Blue Adams (1998-2002) and Jocelyn Borgella (1990-93) for second on the school career record list behind Mike Mickens (14, 2005-08) … His 179 yards on interception runbacks placed fifth on the Bearcats' all-time record chart and his two touchdown returns via pass thefts tied for third on the school record books … Set the school single-season record with eight interceptions in 2007, topping the previous record of six by several players, most recently by Daven Holly in 2003 … Only Ed Reed of Miami (nine in 2001), Aaron Beasley of West Virginia (10 in 1994) and Sean Taylor of Miami (10 in 2003) had more pass thefts in a season in Big East annals … His three interceptions vs. Southern Mississippi in 2007 set a school single-season record and tied the conference mark held by several players, most recently by Darius Butler of Connecticut vs. Army in 2005 … His 84-yard interception return vs. Rutgers in 2006 was the fourth-longest runback in school annals behind Bob Del Rosa (96 vs. Oklahoma State, 1958) and Joe Morrison (88 vs. Dayton and 87 vs. Wichita State in 1956).

Named to the Phil Steele 2008 All-Big East Conference third-team … Started the first five games at free safety before shifting back to right cornerback for the rest of the season … Recorded 53 tackles (36 solos) with 3.5 stops for losses of 8 yards and a forced fumble … Tied for the team lead with ten pass deflections, adding two interceptions for 2 yards in returns … Had a kickoff return for an 8-yard loss and ranked fourth in the conference with 219 yards on 23 punt returns (9.5 avg).

Had a stop behind the line of scrimmage, causing a fumble as he posted three solo hits and gained 13 yards on two punts in the season opener vs. Eastern Kentucky … Made a season-high eleven tackles (6 solos) vs. Oklahoma and delivered three hits with a stop for a loss while returning one punt 18 yards vs. Miami (Oh.) … Credited with four solo tackles and a deflected pass vs. Akron … Followed with four punt returns for a season-high 69 yards, as he also produced five tackles (3 solos) vs. Rutgers … Posted two pass breakups and picked off a Matt Grothe pass in the South Florida clash … Had another interception and four tackles (3 solos) vs. West Virginia … Totaled 53 yards on three punt returns vs. Syracuse … Started, but did not register any statistics in the Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech.

All-Big East Conference second-team selection … Started all thirteen games at right corner-back, teaming with Mike Mickens as the Bearcats' cornerback tandem produced fourteen interceptions, best by any duo in the major college ranks … Led the conference and ranked second in the nation with a school season-record eight interceptions for 82 yards in returns, including a touchdown … Recorded 49 tackles (39 solos) with 2.5 stops for minus 5 yards … Caused and recovered a pair of fumbles … Led the team with eight deflected passes and gained 296 yards on twelve kickoff returns (24.7 avg).

Caused a fumble, broke up one pass and delivered four solo tackles in the season opener vs. Southeast Missouri State … Followed with four solo tackles, as he gained 28 yards on a pair of interceptions vs. Oregon State … Posted another four solo hits, as he broke up one pass and intercepted another for a 54-yard touchdown return … Totaled seven tackles (6 solos), stopping Tiquan Underwood for a 2-yard loss on a screen pass in the Rutgers clash … Had four tackles with a stop for a loss, a pass break-up and a pass theft vs. Pittsburgh … Intercepted a Matt Grothe pass, returned two kickoffs for 77 yards and produced three solo tackles vs. South Florida … Delivered four tackles, including one that stopped tailback Donald Brown for a 2-yard loss in a 27-3 win over Connecticut … Gained 111 yards on five kickoff returns, as he also posted three tackles vs. Syracuse in the season finale … Set the school bowl game record with three interceptions (also tied the Big East game-record), as he also broke up a pass, returned a kickoff 21 yards and had five tackles (4 solos) in a 31-21 victory over Southern Mississippi in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

Member of the Bearcat Academic Honor Roll … Played in 13 games as a reserve at both cornerback position, but saw most of his action on the left side behind John Bowie … Recorded 23 tackles (17 solos) with 1.5 stops for minus 3 yards and a pair of fumble recoveries … Deflected three passes and intercepted two others for 95 yards in returns, including one touchdown … Also tallied 65 yards on four kickoff returns (16.2 avg).

Made the first start of his career vs. Rutgers and was named Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Week after returning an interception 84 yards for a touchdown and finishing with six tackles, one for loss, and a pass deflection. His 84-yarder was the fourth-longest interception return in school history … Had an 11-yard interception return vs. Eastern Kentucky and three solo tackles vs. Virginia Tech … Broke up two passes and both of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage vs. Western Michigan in the International Bowl.

Smith was named to the Bearcat Academic Honor Roll … Played in seven games on special teams, as his only tackle was a solo effort vs. Western Carolina.

Red-shirted as a freshman.

No major injuries reported.

Campus: 4.52 in the 40-yard dash … 1.50 10-yard dash … 2.64 20-yard dash … 4.26 20-yard shuttle … 6.81 three-cone drill … 32-inch vertical jump … 9'7" broad jump.

Combine: 4.50 in the 40-yard dash … 1.50 10-yard dash … 2.63 20-yard dash … 4.35 20-yard shuttle … 7.27 three-cone drill … 31.5-inch vertical jump … 9'1" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times … 29 1/2-inch arm length … 9 1/8-inch hands.

Attended Independence (Columbus, Ohio) High School, playing football for head coach Alan Jones … Registered 11 interceptions, returning five for touchdowns en route to earning All-State first-team honors as a senior … Closed out his career with 20 pass thefts, returning seven for scores … Also caught 14 touchdown passes and totaled seven punt or kickoff returns for scores as a senior … Earned first-team All-City and All-District honors … Named to the Columbus Dispatch-Agonis All-Star team, as he helped the team to a regional finals appearance in the state playoffs.

Criminal Justice major … Son of Arnell and Tommy Hawkins … Born DeAngelo Lamar Smith on 7/17/86 … Resides in Columbus, Ohio.