Nolan Smith Ready For Breakout Season With Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have loved what they have seen from third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith both on and off the field. 

After being taken with the 30th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Smith has grown from a spot edge rusher to being one of the best everydown rushers in the game today. The Georgia product recorded 6.5 sacks in the regular season last year.

As he prepares for his third season with the team, though, Smith is being tested with some new adversity. The 24-year-old suffered a torn triceps injury during Super Bowl LIX and has been recovering ever since. 

As he continues his rehab, and preparation for the 2025 season, Smith is excited to take control of the adversity challenge before him. 

“My mom always told me, adversity builds you,” said Smith. “It builds your character. You ask God to build your character. He's gonna give you adversity in your life so you can be that person.”

If there's one thing Smith has shown in his first two years in the league, it's his ability to be at his best during the playoffs. In five postseason contests, Smith has recorded 4.5 sacks - third most in franchise history behind Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat. 

With how the Eagles have been built, it's easy to see how Smith can overtake both players in the next few years alone. 

Torn triceps be damned. 

And advice from Mom relied upon.