The Baltimore Sun is reporting that former Kentucky defensive end Za’Darius Smith has signed a four year $2.763 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
The deal includes a $483,124 signing bonus.
Smith was selected by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Smith is projected as a potential replacement for outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who signed a five-year, $39 million contract in March with the Chicago Bears.
Smith was the Most Valuable Player of the East-West Shrine all-star game.
Working in tandem with Bud Dupree at Kentucky, Smith had 61 tackles, 7 1/2 for losses and 4 1/2 sacks as a senior. As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 274-pounder had six scks and 59 tackles.
Smith is a former basketball player and junior college transfer from East Mississippi Community College who began playing football in 2010.
Smith, who played opposite first-round pick Bud Dupree at Kentucky, had 61 tackles, including 7 1/2 for losses, and 4 1/2 sacks as a senior at Kentucky. As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 274-pound player had six sacks and 59 tackles.
Smith is expected to be utilized in a versatile role as a pass rusher with his hand down as a traditional defensive end and lining up in a two-point stance at rush outside linebacker.
