We continue looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys and give you our scouting report on each player. Today we are looking at defensive back Mike Smith Jr. from Eastern Kentucky.

Mike Smith Jr.

DB
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Senior
3-star recruit
6’1”
206 lbs

History

Mike Smith Jr. attended First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he excelled as a defensive back. In his senior year, he averaged five tackles and three pass breakups per game, totaling two interceptions. His performance earned him all-conference honors and a three-star recruit rating. He was also recognized as a defensive captain during his high school tenure.

He began his college career at Appalachian State University, where he saw action in nine games as a true freshman. Most of his contributions came on special teams, though he also got occasional snaps at defensive back. Despite limited playing time, he managed to register four tackles and began building a foundation for the years ahead.

In his second season at Appalachian State, Smith appeared in 11 games and continued to contribute on special teams. However, coaching changes and a crowded depth chart limited his opportunities to establish a presence on defense and played only three snaps on defense all season. Seeking a better fit and more playing time, he entered the transfer portal following the season.

Smith transferred to Eastern Kentucky University and immediately began making an impact on the Colonels’ defense. In his first season with EKU, he played in 10 games and started five, finishing the year with 31 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and a pass breakup. His performance included a standout seven-tackle game against Gardner-Webb, signaling his emergence as a dependable defensive back.

Elevated to a full-time starter, Smith started all 11 games in 2023 and significantly increased his production. He recorded 56 total tackles, 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions, showcasing improved ball skills and coverage ability. One of his top performances came in a matchup against Tarleton State, where he tallied a career-high 10 tackles and made one interception. His consistency and playmaking helped solidify EKU’s secondary throughout the season.

As a senior, Smith served as a team captain and took his game to another level, earning national recognition. He led the team with 63 tackles and tied for the conference lead with four interceptions. He also added 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble cementing his reputation as one of the top defensive backs in the United Athletic Conference. His efforts earned him First-Team All-UAC and First-Team AFCA All-American honors, along with an invitation to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl.

2024 Statistics

845 Defensive Snaps
479 Coverage Snaps
63 Total Tackles
4 INT
10 Pass Breakups
1 Forced Fumble
82.6 Passer Rating Allowed
54% Completion Rate Allowed
3 Penalties

NFL Combine/Pro Day

N/A

Awards

FCS All-American (2024)
First-Team All-UAC (2024)

Scorecard

Speed- 70
Acceleration- 67
Agility- 75
Strength- 60
Tackling- 70
Run Defense- 69
Zone Coverage- 81
Man Coverage- 61
Press- 60
Discipline- 92

THE GOOD

• He tracks the ball well in the air never losing sight of it.
• Has strong hands for interceptions and deflections.
• Excellent awareness in zone coverage.
• Reads quarterbacks and routes well, leading to timely breakups or turnovers.
• Can play both free safety and nickel corner, giving defensive coordinators versatility.
• Served as team captain in 2024. Known for strong communication and leadership on the field and in the locker room.
• Plenty of special teams experience.

THE BAD

• Misses tackles due to poor angles or lunging instead of wrapping up.
• Can struggle shedding blocks and lacks ideal physicality when taking on larger running backs.
• Lacks elite closing burst or recovery speed, which may limit his role in man coverage against faster receivers.
• At times relies more on instincts than refined footwork, which leads to being out of position.
• Bites easily on play-action or pump fakes.
• Played primarily at the FCS level, so there’s some projection involved regarding how well his skills will translate against NFL-caliber athletes.

THE FIT

Mike Smith Jr. brings a well-rounded skill set to the defensive backfield, highlighted by his excellent ball skills. His strong instincts and football IQ are especially evident in zone coverage, where he reads quarterbacks effectively and anticipates routes to jump passing lanes. Smith’s versatility allows him to line up as a free safety or slide into the nickel, offering valuable flexibility to defensive coordinators. He plays with poise and confidence, serving as a vocal leader and team captain during his senior year at Eastern Kentucky.

While Smith is a productive and instinctive defender, there are several areas in his game that require refinement. His open-field tackling can be inconsistent, as he occasionally takes poor angles or lunges rather than wrapping up with good technique. Against the run, he can struggle with physicality, particularly when engaging larger ball carriers or shedding blocks. He also lacks elite top-end speed, which may limit his ability to recover against faster receivers in man coverage. Lastly, having played primarily at the FCS level, it’s tough to determine how well his game will translate against NFL-level speed and competition. This gives him a huge uphill battle.

Smith’s versatility is something interesting for Dallas, particularly at the nickel cornerback position. With the departure of Jourdan Lewis and injuries to other cornerbacks, the Cowboys will be exploring options to find a defender for the slot corner role. Smith’s experience at both safety and nickel back, combined with his strong instincts and ball skills, make him a potential fit for the defense. His leadership qualities, demonstrated during his tenure at Eastern Kentucky, further enhance his appeal.

While he may initially contribute on special teams, Smith has the opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster by showcasing his adaptability and football intelligence during training camp. His biggest issue are in both man coverage and his athleticism, both need a huge overhaul. If he fails to raise the bar in that area of his game he more than likely lands on the practice squad.