Former Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith is officially off to the big leagues after the Carolina Panthers selected him No. 120 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Now, Smith heads to Charlotte to play under head coach and Penn State alum Matt Rhule. There, he will join defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, Smith’s teammate from his true freshman season at Penn State.

JUST IN: With the No. 120 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select…Brandon Smith! pic.twitter.com/ZwfLJklAIy

— Onward State (@OnwardState) April 30, 2022

Smith spent three years in Happy Valley after arriving as a five-star recruit in 2019. He was a starter for the team in both his sophomore and junior seasons and wound up producing 132 total tackles, four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery across his Nittany Lions career.

.@brand0n_smith12 was everywhere on Saturday night, earning @B1Gfootball Defensive Player of the Week honors. ?@PennStateFball // #WeAre pic.twitter.com/REDzcxkDs7

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) September 20, 2021

His best year came in 2021 when he tallied 81 total tackles. Forty-five of his tackles were solo efforts, and four of them came behind the line of scrimmage. This past season he also forced a fumble and recorded two sacks.

That #LBU speed. ?@brand0n_smith12's 4.52 ranks T-4 amongst all LBs.

? #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/YUiBIlFFvl

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) March 6, 2022

Smith opted out of the Outback Bowl in order to prepare for the NFL Draft. It all seemed to work out after an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a quick 4.52-second 40-yard dash and posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump. Smith brings size and athleticism to the table in the NFL and may be the next great linebacker out of Penn State once he links up with the Panthers.

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