Five Things to Know: Collin Smith

July 4, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release

When building a brand new soccer club, the process begins with recruiting an entire roster ready for the first match of the season. As the season moves on, however, clubs make moves and acquisitions to continue to grow and evolve. Rhode Island FC made sure that Collin Smith was one of those in-season acquisitions.

Collin Smith joined Rhode Island FC after most recently playing for MLS Next Pro side New England Revolution II. Prior to finding his way to New England, Smith spent the 2023 season as a regular member of the starting 11 for Birmingham Legion FC on loan from FC Dallas.

Smith didn’t always know the direction his career would go and had to make some important decisions in his life to get him where he is today. In his second USL Championship season, Smith is proud to represent both where he came from and his new home in the Ocean State.

Here are five things to know about the defender:

Alabama Roots Through and Through

Smith was born in Jacksonville, Florida and grew up in Dallas, Texas but his family ties lie deep in Alabama. His mother was born in Eufaula, Alabama and his father in Mobile, Alabama. The couple met while studying at the University of Alabama. Smith has always embraced his family connection to the University and enjoys every trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium to watch college football as a loyal fan of the Crimson Tide.

Many members of Smith’s family continue to reside in Alabama including his 88-year-old great grandmother who lives in Clayton, Alabama. And while Smith’s immediate family decided to make the move from Alabama to Dallas, Texas, where much of Smith’s athletic success would begin, Smith made another return to Alabama last year while on loan at Birmingham. The opportunity allowed Smith to go back to his roots and be closer to much of his extended family.

Before the Pitch, There was the Court

After making the move to Dallas, Smith pursued his love for basketball, a sport he enjoyed playing from a young age. While playing basketball competitively, his parents saw how talented of a soccer player his older sister Camryn was and thought he had a chance to succeed at the sport as well.

As he continued to develop as a dual-sport athlete, Smith played point guard for Pro Skills Basketball. One day, some of Smith’s teammates asked him to also join their soccer team. The only catch: Smith would have to give up playing basketball to fully commit to the…