Ben Smiley III

Photo by: CLARUS MULTIMEDIA

Position:
Defensive Line
Class:
Redshirt Senior
Height:
6-4
Weight:
245
Hometown:
Norfolk, VA
High School:
Indian River HS
Prev School:
Virginia

Prior to UConn: Smiley is a defensive end coming to Storrs after a playing career at Virginia…He will have one year of eligibility remaining…While at UVA, appeared in 40 games with 12 starts, making 50 total tackles, 6.5 for a loss with 3.5 sacks…Is coming off a 2024 season where he played in 11 games, making 12 tackles with 1.5 tackles for a loss…In 2023, he appeared in nine games with eight starts, finishing with 15 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and two sacks…Played high school football at Indian River HS…He helped Indian River to a 12-1 record and a regional finals appearance in 2018…Was named a first-team all-region honoree in 2018…As a junior in 2017 he was first-team All-Tidewater after leading the Braves with 69 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks…Earned second-team VHSL all-state honors in 2017…He was also first-team All-Southeastern District and Class 5 Region A…A three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247sports.com.