Smith also ran on the track & field team at Santa Monica and broke the HS high jump record (which has since been eclipsed) in 1977.
He played in a secondary which included three future NFL All-Pros: the San Francisco 49ers' Ronnie Lott and the Minnesota Vikings' Joey Browner in addition to himself.
Smith played at Southern California (1977–1980) for John Robinson in a star-studded defensive backfield and is a member of the USC team that won the national championship in 1978.
Smith established himself as one of the most feared and hardest hitting safeties in the NFL (a reputation later held by his protégé, Steve Atwater).
Smith was voted to play in six Pro Bowls (following the 1985–1986, 1989–1991 and 1993 seasons), was named All-American Football Conference (AFC) in 1984 and 1988.