EAGAN, Minn. – Add one more accolade to Harrison Smith's résumé.
The six-time Pro Bowler on Monday was named to the "NFL Top 100" list for the sixth time, landing at No. 97 on the countdown that began this week on NFL+.
Launched in 2011, "NFL Top 100" is a ranking of the league's top players by their peers. Smith previously made the list five straight years: 2016 (No. 73), 2017 (No. 74), 2018 (No. 46), 2019 (No. 83) and 2020 (No. 64).
"Harrison's an N.D. legend. His pictures are all over the wall at Notre Dame," said Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill, who was drafted out of Smith's alma mater in 2019. "I mean, the guy did something right."
Patrick Peterson teamed with Smith in 2021 and 2022 before signing with the Steelers this spring as a free agent.
"The Hitman, he's that Ace of Spades. He's that wild card," Peterson said. "He just has a great beat on the snap count, on understanding the cadence of the quarterback. He has a little bit of that Troy Polamalu instinct around the line of scrimmage, [knowing] when to pull that trigger."
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Bills safety Jordan Poyer said he's kept a close eye on Smith's game over the years.
"He's a guy who's played at a high level, on the same team. How is he sustaining success in the league for such [a long] time?" Poyer said. "He makes plays on the ball, he's very smart, he tackles well. He plays physical, and that's your prototypical style safety."
T.J. Hockenson has a unique perspective on Smith. The tight end played against Smith as a member of the Lions from 2019 through the first half of the 2022 season, before joining Minnesota via trade last November.
"Harry's a ball hawk. Just a guy who always finds the ball," Hockenson said. "There were a lot of times last year where we needed an INT, and Harry came through for us. He reads the quarterback's eyes and usually makes a big play when we need it."
Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw expressed similar sentiments.
"He's one of the best safeties in the league, and he's on our side," Darrisaw said. "You know he's going to be in the right position at the right time to make big plays."
Eric Kendricks and Smith teamed together in Minnesota from 2015-22, and Kendricks credits Smith with much of his growth in the league.
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"You've gotta give a guy like that, with that kind of instincts, the ability to just roam around and kind of feel it out," said Kendricks, who signed with the Chargers this spring in free agency. "Because chances are he can feel the timing of it, judge it based on what kind of routes he may get. You've gotta give that guy the reins, for sure.
"The amount of football I've learned from this guy throughout my career – not even the Xs and Os, just mentality wise – [is incredible]," Kendricks added. "You know this guy's career – Hall of Fame, probably Gold Jacket. The guy just doesn't stop."
