Nolan Smith Jr.'s first football game was played in Savannah, Georgia, and from there, he began his journey to Super Bowl LIX. He started with local youth teams and then went to Calvary Day School, which he attended for two seasons. Here's a straightforward overview of his path to the NFL's biggest event, Super Bowl LIX.
From Calvary to IMG
Nolan Smith Jr., the NFL player, attended Calvary Day School for two years and then attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his last two 
years of high school.
During the sophomore season at Calvary, people started taking notice. Smith, who had offers from Georgia, Miami, Tennessee, and South Carolina, was a star on both sides of the ball. The Region 3-A (East) player of the year had 75 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 27 quarterback hurries, and 12 sacks. He led the team with 712 yards rushing on offense, scoring 12 total touchdowns.
In two years at IMG, he played in 15 games, making 88 tackles, 10.5 sacks, one 
interception, and forcing one fumble. Nolan was ranked as the top player in the country and 20th best all-time by 247Sports.com, with a comparison to Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack. As a senior, he earned a spot on the USA Today All-USA high school football team and was named a first-team All-American by MaxPreps. Smith signed to play college football at the University of Georgia.
Georgia Bulldogs' Back-to-Back National Champion
After graduating high school, Smith chose to stay home and play for the 
University of Georgia and became a standout Bulldog. He was an outside linebacker with the Bulldogs and was part of those back-to-back national championship teams. In his junior year, 2021, he played in 14 games, made 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered one fumble, and intercepted one pass. An injury cut short his senior season, but that did not stop him from being drafted. In the end, he was a two-time back-to-back National Champion.
Eagles Draft Smith; Rookie Season
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles picked Smith in the first round, 
30th overall. As a rookie, he played in all 17 games, mostly on special teams. He also started to show his defense value, playing in all 17 games. He recorded one sack, made 18 tackles, and had three quarterback hits.
Eagles' Linebacker Shines in Second Season
His second season marked a turning point. As he entered his sophomore year in the NFL, he became a key contributor to the Eagles' defense. He played in all 16 regular season games and had 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, eight for loss, and 11 quarterback hits, which showed that he was developing into a pass rusher and all-around outside linebacker.
NFL Postseason Standout
Nolan Smith has made a name for himself during the postseason, capturing the attention of NFL fans everywhere. His standout performance was a game-changer for the Eagles, with him recording at least one sack in every playoff game, totaling four sacks. This impressive showing played a massive role in helping the team secure a spot in Super Bowl LIX. You can see his impact on the field, especially during those nail-biting moments when the pressure was on. His contribution to the Eagles' defense can't be overstated!
Anticipating Super Bowl LIX
When the Eagles face the two time defending Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Smith's journey—from his high school days in Savannah through college and professional football—culminated in this epic journey.
He is a living testament that you can go anywhere from Savannah, Georgia. Smith's hard work, dedication, and the support he has received from his community and his ongoing community service effort, such as his annual "Pups Day Out" youth football camp, show us what hometown means to him. Nolan Smith Jr. will always give back to Savannah, and Savannah always has his back!
PHOTO CREDIT: Optim Orthopedics, Calvary Day and IMG social media pages, Georgia Bulldogs social media, and the NFL
STATISTIC CREDIT: Dennis Knight Savannah Morning News, MaxPreps.com, UGA Athletic Department, NFL Philadelphia Eagles website.
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Optim Orthopedics: Championing Savannah's Prep Sports Scene!
From the gridiron to the hardwood, Optim Orthopedics stands tall as a dedicated supporter of high school athletes across Savannah. They're not just sponsors—they're game-changers, delivering top-notch medical care to nine standout schools:
- Dr. Don Aaron: Bryan County Middle/High School
- Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County
- Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham
- Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's
As Southeast leaders in fellowship-trained orthopedic care, Optim Orthopedics fuels Prep Sports Report's basketball and football coverage. Because when the game's on the line, Optim Orthopedics gets you back in it!
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