Derron Smith

Derron Smith (born February 4, 1992) is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Fresno State.

Smith attended Banning High School in Banning, California, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track. He played as a safety, quarterback and punter for the Banning Broncos football team. As a senior he had 109 tackles and six interceptions on defense, while also rushing for 1,579 yards with 13 touchdowns on offense. He was a standout on his basketball team, averaging more than 17 points per game.

Also an outstanding track & field athlete, Smith was one of the state's top long jumpers. At the 2010 CIF-SS Division 3 Meet, he posted the top-qualifying mark in the long jump at 7.13 meters (23 ft, 2 in), but he had his result stripped by the head official. Smith’s marks would have likely won the meet since the winner of the event posted marks lower than both of Smith’s efforts.

Smith was regarded as a three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. He was ranked as the No. 83 overall player and the No. 35 in his position in the state of California. He chose Fresno State over scholarship offers from Arizona, Cal, Nebraska, Oregon, San Diego State and UCLA, among others.

As a true freshman at Fresno State University in 2010, Smith played on special teams and as a backup safety. He finished the year with 28 tackles. As a sophomore in 2011, Smith played in only three games due to a broken arm and received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. He finished the season with 16 tackles and an interception. As a redshirt sophomore in 2012, Smith was a first team All-Mountain West selection after recording 79 tackles and six interceptions. As a junior in 2013, he was again a first team All-Mountain West selection after recording 87 tackles, eight interceptions and four sacks. Smith returned his senior season in 2014. He entered the season as the active FBS leader in interceptions with 14.

Smith was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.