Bennett Smith

Bio

2025: Smith connected on 9-of-12 field goals on the year, including a pair of 52-yarders in consecutive weeks at Wingate (Sept. 27) and at Emory & Henry (Oct. 4). They are tied for the fourth-longest field goal in school history.  Smith became the third kicker in school history to hit two 50-yard field goals in the same season. Smith buried multiple field goals against the Bulldogs, Wasps and Tusculum (Nov. 15). He nailed 30-of-31 extra points on the year. For a second straight year, he led C-N in scoring with 57 points. He frequently booted the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs, registering 20 touchbacks on his 50 kickoffs.  

2024: Smith connected on 9-of-14 field goals on the year with a long of 45 coming in the SAC title game at Wingate. He earned SAC Player of the Week honors after drilling a game-winning field goal in overtime in a 31-28 overtime win over Wingate (Sept. 21) in the SAC opener. Smith booted a 34-yard field goal, one of three he connected on the day, to help the Eagles triumph over No. 23 Wingate. Smith's kick is the first game-winning kick by a C-N kicker since Christian Erwin's 44-yarder against UVA Wise in the spring CoVID season in 2021.  Smith is also the first Eagle kicker since Erwin's day against the Highland Cavaliers to connect on three or more field goals in a game. Smith also drilled field goals from 38 and 37 yards, in addition to his game-winning kick. He was also true on two extra point attempts.  Smith was the Eagles' leading scorer for 2024 with 66 points scored. 

HONORS: 

• SAC Special Teams Player of the Week (9/23) 

2023: Smith appeared in one game, attempting an extra point at Newberry (Sep. 30).  

HIGH SCHOOL: Bennett was a standout kicker for Cleveland High School, finishing 4th in the Bradley County in points during the 2022 season with 60/62 PAT and 14/15 FG, including a long of 38 yards and a net average of 47.57. He was named team captain in 2022, and received multiple Special Teams Player of the Week honors in both 2021 and 2022, as well as being named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022 and All-County Kicker in 2023.

PERSONAL: Bennett is the son of Wes and Amy Smith. He plans to study to be an engineer. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a Raider Scholar in high school. Bennett also played soccer and golf at Cleveland High School, helping the soccer team reach the sub-state in 2021. Bennett's cousin, Rheagan Hall, played women's golf at UTC. Bennett chose Carson-Newman for its coaching staff, welcoming environment, and focus on Christ.