Bear Insider Video: Cal DT Zae Smith
One of the final pickups of Cal’s 2025 spring portal class brought the Bears a defensive tackle who may be short in stature at 6’1 tall but long on strength, motor and athleticism in Houston Christian portal transfer Zae Smith. Smith also checks in at 310 lbs.
As a junior, Smith piled up 54 tackles, 5 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 3 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery - big numbers for a DL.
“How to explain my playing style?” Smith said. “I’d say I’m a technician. Being a undersized guy, I have to have great hands and great feet because I don't have the height to fall back on. But one thing I do have is great arm length (6’9 wingspan), and if I play with my hands and play with my arms, I can get separation and have natural leverage under O-lineman, so I can make plays. Another thing you can say is I'm pretty dynamic and athletic. I'm probably one of the heaviest defensive linemen we have, but one of the fastest and athletic. I'm a technician and very dynamic and can be a game changer.“
Smith has seen continued strength gains under the new strength and conditioning staff since his recent arrival.
"I"ve seen a lot of strength gains with Coach Novak,” Smith noted. “I think just being here two months, my bench press numbers went up about 20 pounds. Power still stayed about the same, if not increased. So I think Coach Novak and his staff are doing a great job. They're great people as well. So I'm very blessed to have them."
There’s also been a big emphasis on cardio this offseason - not typically a favorite element for the bigger boys in the trenches.
"It's not as bad here at Cal in the bay as Houston (because of the weather)," Smith said. "I went back to see my grandmother, and the weather was 97 when I was boarding the plane. And then when I got off the plane in Berkeley, it was like 70, so it's nice, a big difference, and the humidity is a big part of that, too."
Asked about the DL room atmosphere since he’s arrived, Smith was glowing.
"Welcoming," Smith said. "I mean, since I stepped foot on campus, we've had D-line lunches, and we play video games together. So we spend a lot of time together and it's a real brotherhood, and I appreciate them accepting me with open arms. I mean, Aiden (keanaaina) is a great leader and a great guy to pick off because he's played at the FBS level. Me not having the experience, I'm able to pick his brain a little bit and get his knowledge and see how he sees the game coming from the FCS level."
Having a unique frame and skillset for the position, Smith was asked how he fit in on the Bears’ DL and the new DL hinted that Cal fans might be in for a surprise.
"We're based out of a two defensive lineman set,” the senior said. “So I think I could play anything from a zero to a five technique. It's on my film. I put it on tape, and think I have the athleticism to play anywhere on the defense and even some fullback.
“I had one play last year at Houston Christian and we scored. I didn't score, but I got the big block to score.”
As for his goals this season?
“Just keep improving my technique,” Smith said. “Coach Browning, he's all about the little things, and I think him being my coach is just going to help me elevate my game to a whole nother level to go professional. So just keep improving on the little things and being consistent. And something I could do is be more vocal. I know I'm coming from a different school, so I want to earn my respect first before I just come out here and having fake energy. I want to have real, genuine energy with the guys and bring them along the ride because I know I have a lot of experience, over 1800 career snaps, so just bring the younger guys along and go out there and dominate this year.”
Smith has appreciated the approach of Cal DL coach Andrew Browning since his arrival to Cal.
“Passionate,” Smith said of his DL coach. “He loves the game of football. He loves pouring into the young men in the room. He gives us valuable things that we can use in life, as well as on the field. And he's someone you could just go and talk to about your girlfriend or your mom. So he's a coach that's bigger than ball, and he genuinely cares about you.
“I’ve picked up a lot of new run game techniques and adding some new pass rush things from my repertoire so I’m excited to put that on tape and show the Cal Bear fans what I can do.”
The veteran defensive lineman likes what he sees in his new squad this season, particularly the offensive creativity he does battle against on the field.
“I think we're going to shock the world,” the senior DT said. “Honestly, we have a lot of experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We have a great offensive coordinator with Coach Harsin, so I think we we can expect to go pretty far this year. He does a lot of double reverses, a lot of funky formation to start and spread and then get to a 13 personnel look. So he does a lot of unique things on that side of the ball.”
Stay tuned for more from the newest Bears throughout fall camp this month.
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Cal Football Fall Camp Kicks Off
A Sit Down With Cal GM Ron Rivera