Shi Smith

Shiyun M. Smith (born October 26, 1998) is an American former professional football wide receiver and punt returner. He played college football at South Carolina.

Early life

Smith attended Union County High School in Union County, South Carolina. He caught 54 passes for 1,337 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior and 67 passes for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football as a 4 star recruit.

College career

As a true freshman at South Carolina in 2017, Smith played in 12 games with seven starts and had 29 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns. He again started nine of 12 games in 2018, recording 45 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns. As a junior in 2019, he started all 10 games he played in missing two due to injury. He finished the season with 43 receptions for 489 yards and two touchdowns. Smith became South Carolina's primary receiving target his senior season in 2020. Smith finished his senior season in 2020 with 57 receptions for 633 yards and 4 touchdowns over the course of 9 games.

Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, Smith announced he was declaring for the 2021 NFL draft.

Smith left South Carolina fourth in program history in total catches and eighth in receiving yards. He also is tied for 13th in the record books for career touchdowns.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Smith was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 204th pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 13, 2021, Smith signed his four-year rookie contract with Carolina. On December 11, 2022, Smith scored his first career touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on a 13 yard pass from Sam Darnold.

On August 29, 2023, Smith was waived by the Panthers.