The Kansas City Chiefs will have dozens of players in for tryouts during their upcoming rookie minicamp this weekend. They’ll all be working hard to impress the coaching staff and potentially earn a contract on the 90-man offseason roster in Kansas City.

Every year, intriguing prospects and stories wind up at One Arrowhead Drive with an opportunity to impress the coaching staff. One of those unique individuals this year is Villanova DL Chuck Smith IV. The name might sound familiar because his father, Chuck Smith III, played nine seasons in the NFL after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons out of the University of Tennessee in the 1992 NFL Draft. Smith III racked up 58.5 sacks and 20 forced fumbles throughout his NFL career, once earning All-Pro honors.

@ChuckHsmith 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/QfUW0IJOiu

— Chuck Smith (@chucksmithnfl) April 27, 2025

In his post-playing days, Smith III began a career as a private pass-rush coach, earning the apt nickname of “Dr. Rush.” In 2023, he took his talents back to the NFL, becoming the pass-rush coach for the Baltimore Ravens, working with their outside linebackers and D-Line.

So you see, Smith IV has an NFL pedigree with a father who has built a career out of training NFL pass rushers. He also has an impressive collegiate career at the FCS level.

Chiefs invite Villanova’s Chuck Smith IV to rookie minicamp tryout

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, Smith IV played at Wofford from 2020 to 2023. He appeared in 33 games for the Terriers, starting 27 of those contests. During his time at Wofford, he amassed 105 tackles, 14 for loss, 46 defensive stops, 8.5 sacks, 52 total pressures, and three fumbles recovered.

Jaaron Hayek isn’t the only Villanova Wildcat set to attend Chiefs rookie minicamp this year. Smith IV transferred to Villanova in 2024 and averaged 40 snaps per game for the Wildcats’ defense in 14 game appearances. In that span, he recorded 35 total tackles, four for loss, 12 defensive stops, 20 pressures, a half sack, and a forced fumble.

Smith IV attended local pro days for the Eagles and Falcons during the pre-draft process. He also participated in the Tropical Bowl, where he had an opportunity to leave an impression on scouts for all 32 NFL teams.

Villanova sportscaster David Szczepanski spoke to Villanova HC Mark Ferrante about Smith’s invite to the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp this weekend.

“He’s looking to be that standup edge guy at the next level,” Ferrante said. “He’s athletic. He works his tail off, he gives great effort, and he’s always in a good mood. You never see him not smiling. He’s going to be a great locker room guy and he’s going to be a great teammate.”

Shoutout everyone who supported along the way, we not done yet!!! https://t.co/rs6lztrt9i

— Chuck Smith IV (@ChuckHsmith) April 27, 2025