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Ex-ND safety Harrison Smith joins exclusive club while with Vikings
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- Ex-ND safety Harrison Smith joins exclusive club while with Vikings
There's been back-and-forth debate if former Notre Dame standout and longtime Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he hangs it up.
Smith may have strengthened his case for a HOF bid after joining an exclusive club during the Vikings' 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
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Late in the fourth quarter, Smith picked off Colts quarterback Daniel Jones to seal the victory for Minnesota. The interception was the 40th of Smith's career.
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Smith became the third player in NFL history to have 40+ INTs and 20+ sacks (22) in a career . Hall of Famers Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson are the only other former NFL players to accomplish the feat.
Since Smith started his NFL career in 2012 with the Vikings, he has career totals in tackles (1,182), pass deflections (110), forced fumbles (13), fumble recoveries (9) and defensive touchdowns (4).
Smith compiled 309 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 28 pass break-ups, seven INTs and two forced fumbles from 2008 to 2011 with the Fighting Irish .
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ex-ND safety Harrison Smith joins exclusive club while with Vikings
