Senior linebacker EJ Smith led Nevada’s defense with 21 tackles in week four’s loss to Air Force. Smith now holds the title for most tackles in the nation at 55 tackles, trailed by Curly Ordonez of the Temple Owls, and two others, with 50.
Smith began his collegiate football career at Cerritos College, where he made his mark leading the team with 57 tackles his sophomore year. Following his transfer to Nevada, he started his first seven games totaling 29 tackles before suffering a season-ending injury.
This season started strong for Smith, coming back from his injury with 14 tackles against Western Kentucky. When asked what his role is as a defensive leader, Smith said, “I just feel like I’m the voice of the defense right now… It’s just like I’m not really a talker. I’m more of a doer.” He then proved his statement as the game’s defensive leader, having double the tackles of anyone on either team.
Just a few weeks later, in a double overtime battle at home against Air Force, Smith totaled 21 tackles, tying for fourth-most in Nevada’s history.
This season, Smith described himself to be “better in the [defensive] box than last year,” which was confirmed as he rivaled the Falcons’ unique offensive approach that prioritized the run.
With his standout performance against Air Force, Smith now averages 13.8 tackles per game, setting him on pace to beat the Wolf Pack’s single season tackle record. The record is held by Nevada Hall of Fame linebacker, John Ramatici, with 162 tackles in 1981. At his current average, Smith is set to hit 165 tackles in the next eight games.
Nevada’s schedule is set to get increasingly more difficult, facing the current conference leader, North Dakota State University, on their home turf on Oct. 17. They also travel to play AP Top 25-ranked UCLA, sitting at 23, on Oct. 31.
With the progressively challenging schedule ahead, fans should be keeping an eye on Smith. What he has accomplished early into the season is undeniably no easy feat.
Of his 55 tackles this year, 30 have been solo, the most in the nation.
Despite playing one less game than the rest of the field due to the Pack’s bye week, Smith still leads the nation in tackles.
Smith is set to play in Nevada’s next game, away against the UTEP Miners on Saturday, Oct. 10.
