Smith-Young Joins Duke Football Program

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach Manny Diaz announced Wednesday that safety Patrick Smith-Young has signed a financial aid agreement to attend the institution and join the Blue Devil gridiron program.

The 5-9, 190-pound Smith-Young played in 39 games for North Texas (29) and Old Dominion (10) with 25 starts over the past four years. He was a member of the Mean Green in 2022, 2023 and 2025, helping UNT to a combined record of 24-16 and 16-8 in league action with Conference USA Championship Game (2022) and American Conference Championship Game (2025) appearances as well as two bowl trips. With Old Dominion in 2024, Smith-Young made five starts as the Monarchs went 5-7.

This past fall, Smith-Young played in and started 13 games, only missing the Washington State tilt, for North Texas. He registered 73 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups. He tallied a career-high tying 11 tackles in consecutive games against Western Michigan and Army and was credited with a personal-best two pass breakups at Charlotte.

In his one season with the Monarchs, Smith-Young recorded 42 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, one interception, two fumble recoveries and one caused fumble. He registered nine tackles, including 1.0 sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble for a 37-yard return in the season opener at South Carolina. He carded six tackles each against Virginia Tech and Bowling Green.

The 2023 season at North Texas had Smith-Young appear in 12 games with seven starts. He booked 77 tackles, one caused fumble and two pass breakups. He picked up a season-high 11 tackles at Tulsa and was credited with nine to go along with a forced a fumble at Tulane. In his true freshman season in 2022, he appeared in four games and tallied two tackles.

Smith-Young, a Sugar Land, Texas, native, will have one season of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2026 campaign.

During his career, Smith-Young has totaled 194 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, one interception, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

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Smith-Young Joins Duke Football Program

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