Earl Smith IV is a 6'3", 235-pound second-year linebacker with upside for Rhode Island
Earl Smith IV profiles as a physical, hometown linebacker for Rhode Island, listed at 6'3" and 235 pounds and entering his second year with the Rams in 2026. He did not appear in games as a 2025 freshman, so the appeal is more about projection than production right now, but his frame suggests downhill run support and special-teams value. The fit question is simple: if you want a developmental LB with local roots and size that can be coached up, he’s a solid long-term swing rather than an immediate stat-sheet guy.
