Kendall Smith brings ball-hawk energy and veteran savvy to Illinois
Kendall Smith’s calling card for Illinois is playmaking: in the 2022 season, he led the Big Ten with five interceptions and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention, which fits the profile of a safety who reads quarterbacks well and jumps routes without much hesitation. He also showed range and open-field tackling in the deep middle, plus the kind of late-bloom confidence that comes from climbing from special teams to a full-time starter. If a team wants a DB with instincts, toughness, and proven turnover production, Smith is absolutely worth a hard look.
