With Halloween approaching, most people are focused on spooky decorations, but for coaches and quarterbacks in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), there’s a different kind of fright—EKU’s defensive back Mike Smith Jr., a 6’1″ monster from Jacksonville, Fla.
Smith, a preseason Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist selection and one of the top pass defenders in the conference, has made a name for himself as a nightmare for opposing offenses. But his journey to Richmond, Ky., wasn’t straightforward. After starting his career at Appalachian State, Smith transferred to EKU after dealing with coaching changes and limited playing time.
“I started off my career at Appalachian State, but after the coaches who recruited me left, I decided to hit the transfer portal,” Smith explained. It was his visit to EKU with his family that solidified his decision. “Once we got around the coaches, I could feel the love and family energy. My mom was hooked, and that made it an easy decision for me.”
Now in his third season with EKU, Smith has racked up impressive career stats, including 110 tackles, four interceptions, and 16 passes defended. His outstanding performances earned him UAC Preseason Defensive All-Conference Team honors, a spot on the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List, and recognition as a defensive captain.
Despite the accolades, Smith acknowledges the increased attention from opposing teams. “This season is different—I’m on every team’s radar,” he said. “I know they’ll try to avoid me, so I’ve focused on being a leader for this defense.”
That leadership has been key to EKU’s defensive success, with the Colonels allowing just nine points per game and producing the eighth-best red zone defense in the country through their first three FCS games.
“I’m working every day to get better and improve those around me,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, I’m just a kid from Jacksonville trying to make some things shake.”
And shake he has—leaving quarterbacks and coaches alike in fear of facing him on the field.
