Lonnie Smith is a 6'2", 240-pound junior linebacker from Jackson, Mississippi who attended St. Joseph Catholic High School before playing at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. At Co-Lin, Smith earned All-MACCC First Team honors in 2025 after tallying 48 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. His sack total ranked third nationally while his tackles for loss ranked fourth. He recorded a sack in 8-of-10 games played, including a career-best three against Northeast Mississippi. Smith logged 18 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks as a freshman in 2024. He now returns as a junior for Troy.