Ben Smiley III
AT VIRGINIA
2023 – Appeared in nine of UVA’s games, starting in eight … finished second on the team in sacks with two … recorded a sack in 31-27 road win over then-No. 10 UNC (10/21). 2022 – Appeared in eight of UVA’s games and started against Louisville … made a tackle against Richmond … recorded a tackle against Illinois … made two tackles against Old Dominion … made a tackle for loss and recorded a sack against Syracuse … registered three tackles and 0.5 sacks against Duke … made three tackles against Louisville … recorded a tackle against Georgia Tech … made a tackle against Miami … named to 2022-23 ACC Honor Roll. 2021 – Appeared in eight of UVA’s games and started three… made two tackles against Wake Forest… made two tackles against Pitt. 2020– Appeared in two of UVA’s 10 games … missed most of the year with an injury … saw time at Clemson and at Virginia Tech. 2019 – Appeared in two of UVA’s 14 games … made collegiate debut against William & Mary … made two tackles in win against Duke … one of 17 UVA true freshmen to appear in 2019 … retained redshirt under new NCAA rules.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL
Ben Smiley III played defensive line and offensive line at Indian River High School for head coach Glenwood Ferebee … helped Indian River to a 12-1 record and a regional finals appearance in 2018 … 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 … was also first-team All-Southeastern District and Class 5 Region A … a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247sports.com … major is American Studies…pursuing a graduate non-degree in Education.