named a First-Team All-American, including first-team selections by the Associated Press, ESPN, SI.com, CollegeFootballNews.com and USA Today. Smith was a second-team selection by The Walter Camp Football Association, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), PFF, and the Football Writers Association of America. Smith was also a finalist for the 2018 Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's best defensive end. PFF ranked Smith 24th on their list of the best 101 college football players in America. The Mid-American Conference named Smith a First-Team Defensive End and MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Smith also won the Vern Smith Leadership Award which is the football MVP award for the Mid-American Conference. Sutton Smith is only the third defensive player in the history of the Mid-American Conference to win the Vern Smith MVP honor, joining Central Michigan linebacker Ray Bentley (1982) and NIU defensive end Larry English (2008). On December 20, 2018, Smith announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. During his collegiate career, Smith was a 2-time First-Team All-American, a 2-time First-Team Mid-American Conference Defensive End, and 2-Time Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only player in NIU school history to achieve these honors in back-to-back seasons and is the most decorated defensive player in NIU football history. In 2019, both Northern Illinois Football and the College Football Hall of Fame named Smith to their All-Decade Teams. Professional career Pittsburgh Steelers Smith was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round, 175th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was waived on August 31, 2019. Jacksonville Jaguars On October 22, 2019, Smith was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, but was released a week later. Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint) On November 6, 2019, Smith was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, but was released the next day. On November 12, he was re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on November 18. Seattle Seahawks On December 18, 2019, Smith was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Seahawks on January 14, 2020. He was waived on July 26, 2020. New Orleans Saints Smith signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 14, 2021. He was released on August 27, 2021. Las Vegas Raiders On November 15, 2021, Smith was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, after