Chau Smith-Wade Drafted in Fifth Round by Carolina Panthers

DETROIT (April 27, 2024) – Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2024 National Football League Draft Saturday.
 
Smith-Wade was selected as the No. 22 pick of the fifth round and No. 157 overall. Smith-Wade is the first Cougar drafted by the Panthers since offensive lineman Zack Williams was taken in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.
 
Washington State's three draft picks are the most since the 2005 draft with Karl Paymah (3rd, Denver), Calvin Armstrong (6th, Philadelphia) and Hamza Abdullah (7th, Tampa Bay). WSU has had five defensive players selected in the last three drafts; Watson in the seventh by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third round to the Los Angeles Chargers last season, and Jaden Hicks went to the Chiefs in the fourth round and Brennan Jackson went in the fifth round early today.
 
Smith-Wade appeared in the first seven games of the season before missing the final five due to injury. The junior tallied 35 tackles with a two for loss and six pass breakups after being named Preseason All-Pac-12 First Team by Athlon Sports. Smith-Wade recorded seven-tackle games in wins at Colorado State and over No. 14 Oregon State, made three stops and broke up a pass in the win over No. 19 Wisconsin and was later invited to the NFL Combine.
 
In his four seasons with WSU, Smith-Wade appeared in 33 games, made 103 tackles with six tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, 21 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and was 2022 All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention.