With the 131st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select safety Genesis Smith out of the University of Arizona.
Smith is a springy and lengthy safety standing at 6’2 and 203 pounds. He had a very impressive 42.5-inch vertical at the combine while also running a 4.18 in the short shuttle.
He played three seasons of college ball, the latter two spent as a starter for the Wildcats. In 2024, Smith snagged three interceptions and broke up six passes
with two forced fumbles. As a junior in 2025, he picked off another pass and set a career high with eight pass breakups and two more forced fumbles. After that year, he earned Third-Team All-Big 12 honors, playing in 12 games an starting 24 consecutive contests to end his collegiate career.
Smith now joins a fairly stacked safety room that includes Derwin James, Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, and 2025 seventh-round pick R.J. Mickens.
