VMI Athletics

THREE-YEAR LETTERMAN - Should lead the defensive line this fall…talented senior and returning starter who should contend for All-Big South honors…expected to start at right end…one of three team members to attain the second-highest testing group scores as “Iron Keydet”…set a personal strength and conditioning record with 25 pull-ups… has made 22 consecutive starts on the defensive line and with 122 career tackles including 12.5 tackles for loss.  

2012 - Led Big South linemen in tackles in 2012 with 61 stops including 33 solo hits and 28 assists…had 7.5 tackles for loss for 23 yards and 2.5 sacks for 10 yards in 2012…posted a season-high 11 tackles against The Citadel and had seven tackles and three assists for 10 tackles against Stony Brook…had two quarterback hurries against Delaware State and forced a fumble against Charleston Southern…logged eight solo tackles against Navy…lettered for the third time.

2011 - Flourished in his first full year as a starting defensive tackle and had 38 stops in 11 games…posted a season-high nine tackles against William & Mary including a sack for -7 yards…logged three tackles and three assists against Akron and posted five tackles against Stony Brook…also logged sacks against Charleston Southern and Presbyterian College…had quarterback hurries against Delaware State, Richmond, and Charleston Southern…had six games with four or more tackles.

2010 - Saw substantial playing time throughout the season in a reserve role on the defensive line…played a season-high 37 snaps in the win at CSU and had six tackles and a half tackle-for-loss…registered three tackles each against Liberty and Old Dominion…picked up a 10-yard sack in the opener against Lock Haven…also contributed a sack against Gardner-Webb.

2009 - Did not see game action.

HIGH SCHOOL - 4A TACA All-State, TSWA All-State, Consensus All-State 4A Defense, AP All-State Defense, Reebok All-State Defensive Team (2008)...finished career with 255 tackles (39.5 for loss), 21 sacks, 13 fumbles caused and 11 fumbles recovered...MaxPreps Medium School Second Team Defense All-American 2008...Toyota East/West All-Star Game Defensive MVP, East Squad...2008 team captain...team finished in the top-10 of three major polls in 2007...59-1 H.S. record, was part of 74-game win streak.
    PERSONAL - Full name is Justin Christopher Smith...Economics and Business major.