2026 Bearkat Football Signing Class
Roster
DL
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/ FootballDB
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/ FootballP
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/ FootballTE
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/ FootballDL
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/ FootballTE
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/ Football
Matt Smith
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 235
- Incoming Class:
- Graduate Student
- Position:
- TE
- Hometown:
- Needham, Mass.
- High School / Previous Schools:
- Needham HS / Rhode Island / UMass / Duke
Rhode Island
Played in 14 games for the Rams ... caught 3 passes for 13 yards and a score ... had 2 grabs for 11 yards vs LIU (9/20) ... caught a 2-yard touchdown pass vs Brown (10/3)
UMass
2024 Season
Appeared in six games on the year ... tallied 38 yards on three receptions, all at Toledo (9/7) ... had a career-long 17-yard reception at Toledo (9/7)
2023 Season
Saw action in three contests
Duke
2022 SeasonÂ
Appeared in 11 games, missing the Northwestern and Miami contests ... on the field for 74 snaps
2021 SeasonÂ
Played in season-opener at Charlotte before suffering a season-ending knee injury during the game ... only saw 7 snaps on the season
2020 Season
Played in six games against Virginia, Virginia Tech, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State ... retained year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Season
Did not see game action ... utilized a redshirt
Needham HS
Lettered two years at Needham under coaches Doug Kopsco and David Duffy ... consensus three-star prospect by ESPN.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com ... the No. 31 Y-tight end nationally as ranked by ESPN.com and the No. 51 tight end according to 247Sports.com ... first team Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association all-state selection at tight end after senior season ... Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association all-state honoree as a wide receiver following final campaign ... USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Massachusetts Football Team first team selection as a senior ... received Boston Herald and Boston Globe all-scholastic selections after final campaign ... Bay State Conference Co-MVP and all-star selection as a senior ... served as team captain as a senior, tallying 56 receptions for 1,043 yards and 12 TDs ... in Needham’s Division 1 South Sectional semifinal contest against Catholic Memorial, recorded seven catches for 179 yards and two TDs, including a 90-yard scoring reception on team’s first drive of the game ... finished career against Wellesley on Thanksgiving Day, returning a kickoff 92 yards for a TD in a 14-13 victory ... as a junior, helped Needham to a 6-5 mark and the Bay State Conference title ... finished junior campaign with 37 receptions for 702 yards and five TDs and earned Bay State Conference all-star recognition ... also lettered three years in basketball and served as team captain as a senior ... earned one varsity letter as a freshman on the track team
Personal
Graduated from Duke in May 2023, with a degree in public policy and a certificate in markets and management ... son of Michelle and Tim Smith ... mother played volleyball at Dickinson College (1986-87-88-89), served as a team captain in 1989 and ranks in the top 10 in program history in career blocks ... brother, Brendan, was a member of the football program at Boston College (2018-19-20-21)
Played in 14 games for the Rams ... caught 3 passes for 13 yards and a score ... had 2 grabs for 11 yards vs LIU (9/20) ... caught a 2-yard touchdown pass vs Brown (10/3)
UMass
2024 Season
Appeared in six games on the year ... tallied 38 yards on three receptions, all at Toledo (9/7) ... had a career-long 17-yard reception at Toledo (9/7)
2023 Season
Saw action in three contests
Duke
2022 SeasonÂ
Appeared in 11 games, missing the Northwestern and Miami contests ... on the field for 74 snaps
2021 SeasonÂ
Played in season-opener at Charlotte before suffering a season-ending knee injury during the game ... only saw 7 snaps on the season
2020 Season
Played in six games against Virginia, Virginia Tech, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State ... retained year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Season
Did not see game action ... utilized a redshirt
Needham HS
Lettered two years at Needham under coaches Doug Kopsco and David Duffy ... consensus three-star prospect by ESPN.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com ... the No. 31 Y-tight end nationally as ranked by ESPN.com and the No. 51 tight end according to 247Sports.com ... first team Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association all-state selection at tight end after senior season ... Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association all-state honoree as a wide receiver following final campaign ... USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Massachusetts Football Team first team selection as a senior ... received Boston Herald and Boston Globe all-scholastic selections after final campaign ... Bay State Conference Co-MVP and all-star selection as a senior ... served as team captain as a senior, tallying 56 receptions for 1,043 yards and 12 TDs ... in Needham’s Division 1 South Sectional semifinal contest against Catholic Memorial, recorded seven catches for 179 yards and two TDs, including a 90-yard scoring reception on team’s first drive of the game ... finished career against Wellesley on Thanksgiving Day, returning a kickoff 92 yards for a TD in a 14-13 victory ... as a junior, helped Needham to a 6-5 mark and the Bay State Conference title ... finished junior campaign with 37 receptions for 702 yards and five TDs and earned Bay State Conference all-star recognition ... also lettered three years in basketball and served as team captain as a senior ... earned one varsity letter as a freshman on the track team
Personal
Graduated from Duke in May 2023, with a degree in public policy and a certificate in markets and management ... son of Michelle and Tim Smith ... mother played volleyball at Dickinson College (1986-87-88-89), served as a team captain in 1989 and ranks in the top 10 in program history in career blocks ... brother, Brendan, was a member of the football program at Boston College (2018-19-20-21)
FB: 2026 Transfer Portal Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
FB: 2026 Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, February 04
FB: Press Conference following FIU
Saturday, November 29
FB: Phil Longo Weekly Press Conference FIU
Tuesday, November 25
