Former Kentucky football star Za'Darius Smith is back, according to NFL reporter Mary Kay Cabot.
Za'Darius Smith was a star defensive end for Kentucky from 2013-2014. In those two seasons, he racked up 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss. That led to him being picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Smith made an immediate impact with the Ravens. Then, after signing a contract with the Green Bay Packers, he became a Pro Bowler, making three of them, along with an All Pro nod in 2020.
After he left the Packers, Smith bounced around a little, and finally hung them up after the 2025 season, announcing his retirement. However, it seems as though that won't stick. He tried out for the Cleveland Browns this week, and Cabot reports that he will likely sign later this week.
Smith has already passed a physical, and will be flying to Cleveland to sign a deal. Congrats to him on returning to the NFL.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Former Kentucky star unretires, set to join NFL team