Veteran defensive back Markus Smith has signed with the Bay Area Panthers for Week 19 of the 2025 Indoor Football League campaign and beyond. Standing at 6-foot-2, Smith brings expansive range, hard hits and a wealth of playing experience.
Most recently, Smith earned a 2025 AF1 championship as a member of the Albany Firebirds. He was a standout with Albany, issuing 34 tackles, five pass breakups, four interceptions and three forced fumbles over eight games played.
Smith also had a decorated career in the National Arena League. His resume includes stints with the Carolina Cobras, Spokane Shock and Jacksonville Sharks. In 2019 with Jacksonville, he was named All-NAL Second Team behind 50 tackles and eight picks.
When the Arizona Rattlers were in the Arena Football League, Smith was a key contributor from 2015 to 2016 and teammates with Panthers’ current offensive coordinator Rod Windsor. Over that two-year span, Smith registered 30.5 total tackles.
Collegiately, Smith starred for two seasons at the University of Nevada, Reno. As a senior in 2023, he logged 58 tackles, three interceptions and three passes defended for the Wolf Pack. He graduated from UNR in 2014 with a degree in Communications.
Prior to playing at Nevada, Smith was a defensive standout at Riverside City College, competing in two campaigns for the Tigers.
Smith is a product of Southern California, shining as a prepster for his native Corona High School (? 2010). For his senior year on the gridiron, he led the Panthers with 74 total tackles, six pass breakups, one interception, one FF and one blocked kick throughout 10 games played.
His combination of size, athleticism and experience is seldom seen in the IFL. Smith’s abilities will contribute fantastically to Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe’s defensive scheme, especially during the upcoming postseason run (when roster depth is vital).
