Tennessee Titans agree to terms with former Vanderbilt LB Josh Smith
The Tennessee Titans made a few roster moves on Friday and added a former Vanderbilt outside linebacker.
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with former Vanderbilt outside linebacker, Josh Smith, on Friday. The team also waived linebacker James Folston, who was recently signed by the team.
Jim Wyatt of Titans Online has the latest.
"The Titans have agreed to terms with former Vanderbilt linebacker Joshua Smith.To make room on the 90-man roster, the team waived linebacker James Folston, who was signed earlier this week."
Folston did leave practice early on Wednesday, but it isn’t clear if that had anything to do with his departure. Smith will now take Folston’s spot.
James Folston just signed recently by @Titans goes in with trainer as practice wraps up
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 14, 2019
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker is the second Vanderbilt player to join the Titans, as defensive back LaDarius Wiley was also previously signed by Tennessee. Smith spent some time at the Titans’ rookie minicamp during the offseason and played ball at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Smith played in four seasons for the Commodores, playing in 30 games. He totaled 92 total tackles (14 for loss), six sacks, and four passes defended.
The 2018 campaign was Smith’s best after he played in a career-high 12 games for Vanderbilt. He finished with 61 total tackles (nine for loss), 3.5 sacks and three passes defended.
The Vanderbilt product joins an absolutely stacked Titans linebacker corps. that has a ton of promise in 2019, and one that recently lost rookie linebacker D’Andre Walker for the season.
As was the case with Folston, Smith will have the deck stacked against him if he hopes to make the 53-man roster, especially considering he’s joining the team so late in the offseason.
Regardless, it’s a great opportunity for the young man, who could see some time on the field in the team’s upcoming preseason games.
The Titans will host the New England Patriots for their second preseason game on Saturday night in Nashville. The Titans won their first preseason contest over the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, in what was a solid all-around performance.