Za'DariusSmith

* Third-team All-SEC by CollegeSportsMadness.com (2013)

Returning starter at defensive end … Took good advantage of the high performance program by improving his physicality in the offseason … His greater strength and speed was evident during spring practice … Was a star of the Blue/White Spring Game with a pass interception, quarterback sack, and a shared tackle for loss … Made a good showing in his first season at Kentucky after coming to UK as a junior-college transfer … Went through the NFL Draft evaluation process but decided to return for his senior season.

2013 (Junior): Started every game at defensive end … Tied for third on the team in tackles with 59, including 6.5 tackles for loss and six sacks … Also had a team best six quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup … Finished the season ranked inside the top 50 in the SEC in tackles … Top 10 in the SEC in sacks … Career-high nine tackles against Georgia … Had a great game against Miami (Ohio) with six tackles and three sacks … Had a sack or tackle for loss in six games.
Junior College: The nation’s No. 1 junior college strongside defensive end prospect as ranked by JCGridiron.com … The nation’s No. 10 overall juco prospect, and No. 2 defensive end, by ESPN … Listed No. 15 overall, and the No. 2 weakside defensive end, by 24/7 Sports … Totaled 47 tackles, including 6.5 quarterback sacks and 11 total tackles for loss, as a sophomore at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Miss. … Named second-team All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association … Also named to the juco all-region and all-state teams … Helped EMCC to an 8-2 record … Made 19 tackles, featuring 4.5 sacks and seven total TFL, as a freshman … EMCC won the 2011 NJCAA national championship with a 12-0 mark … Head coach was Buddy Stephens and his defensive line coach was current UK assistant Jimmy Brumbaugh.
High School: A relative latecomer to the game as he grew up playing basketball at Greenville (Ala.) High School and didn’t begin playing football until his senior year …Coached at Greenville by Ben Blackmon.
Personal: Born in Montgomery, Ala. … Son of Sharon Smith and Robert Meeks … Major is community and leadership development … Comes from an athletic family … An older brother, Bob Meeks, played center at Auburn from 1988-91 and for the NFL’s Denver Broncos … A cousin, Davern Williams, played at Troy and for the NFL’s New York Giants … A niece, Kristi Mokube, played basketball at Florida State.
Za’Darius Says … Other than the NFL, my dream job is: head football coach at my hometown high school … I couldn’t live without my: bank card … My favorite part of game day is: the Cat Walk … The coolest thing about being at UK is: the fans and the group of guys I’m around every day … My hidden talent is: basketball and playing pool … Something people might not know about me is: I love to ride around the city in my 1989 Caprice Classic.