By LaMark Wylie Jr., North Carolina Central Athletic Communications Intern


DURHAM, N.C. – Ryan Smith and Nick Leverett, former North Carolina Central football student-athletes who are now Tampa Bay Buccaneers, celebrated an NFC Championship on Sunday after the Bucs beat the Green Bay Packers 31-26.

With the win against the Packers, the NCCU alums will be part of NFL history as members of the only team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium when the Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 7 in Raymond James Stadium. 

Smith, who is from Upper Marlboro, Md., played for NCCU from 2012-15. During his time at N.C. Central, he broke career records for solo tackles (168) and kickoff return yard average (28.1). He is also among NCCU's career leaders in tackles, finishing sixth with 263, and is tied for 11th in passes defended with 31 (7 interceptions, 24 pass break-ups). In 2014 and 2015, he celebrated a share of the MEAC championship, and earned All-MEAC honors as both a defensive back and a return specialist as a senior.

In 2016, during the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Smith's dream came true as notable NCAA basketball commentator Dick Vitale introduced him as the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

During his tenure with the Buccaneers Smith has played 73 games, 109 total tackles, 90 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles. 

Leverett, who is from Concord, N.C., played for NCCU from 2016-18. During his three seasons at N.C. Central, he started all 34 games on the offensive line. He amassed 103 pancake blocks, allowed only five sacks, and had a blocking grade above 90 percent during his final two seasons at NCCU, making him the best lineman on the team.

Leverett was a part of the 2016 Eagles squad that beat North Carolina A&T State to win the MEAC championship, which he said was his most memorable moment while at NCCU and would be a day that he would never forget. Leverett was voted All-MEAC third team in 2016 and All-MEAC second team in 2017 and 2018.

He later transferred to Rice University to use his final season of eligibility during the 2019 campaign. On April 26, 2020, Leverett signed a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has spent this season as a member of the Bucs practice squad.

Only two other Eagles, Richard Sligh and Louis Breeden, have represented NCCU on the NFL's grandest stage. Sligh was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 24, 1982.