[2] Smith teamed in the defensive line with Al Cowlings, Jimmy Gunn, Willard "Bubba" Scott, and Charlie Weaver to form in 1969 "The Wild Bunch," which was key for USC to compile a 10-0-1 record and a No.
Smith was one of the five USC African American starters (along with Sam Cunningham, Jimmy Jones, Clarence Davis and Charlie Weaver), that played against an all-white University of Alabama football team, winning 42–21 in Birmingham on September 12, 1970.
This game was historically significant, because it was a factor in convincing the University of Alabama and its fan base to accelerate the integration of its football team.
Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round (25th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft, after dropping because of an ankle injury he suffered in college.
Although he had surgery during the off-season on an injured knee, head coach Tom Landry seemed convinced Smith had the capability to start in 1972.
On July 11, 1977, he was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was released before the season started on September 1.