Raised in Diamond Bar, California, Smith attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente.
He chose to play at the University of Utah and was an immediate starter under Urban Meyer's surprise 2004 Utes team, winning the Fiesta Bowl as a mid-major team.
Using a new and scrutinized NCAA rule, Smith took 21 credit hours during the summer of 2006 to graduate and be eligibile to play at a new college the next season.
He declared for the 2007 NFL draft despite having a year of eligibility remaining.
Smith was selected with the 206th pick in the 2007 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans.