[2] As a player, he was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Beavers under head coaches Mike Riley and Dennis Erickson.

Born in Pasadena, California, Smith graduated from Glendora High School in east Los Angeles County in 1997.

He went north to play college football at Oregon State, and was originally a walk-on under head coach Mike Riley.

[9] The Beavers improved in 2022, posting the third ten-win season in program history after soundly defeating Florida 30–3 in the Las Vegas Bowl.

[10] Smith's initial five-year deal in 2017 paid him $1.9 million annually and automatically extended by one year after every six-win season.