NCAA grants Coleon Smith an extra year of eligibility, boosting Saluki O-Line

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois offensive tackle Coleon Smith was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return for the 2026 season, providing a veteran boost to SIU’s offensive line.

Smith started the first four games at left tackle for the Salukis in 2025, before suffering a season-ending MCL tear in his right knee during the game at SEMO. The NCAA waiver allows him a second chance to play his senior year.

“I ended up not needing to have surgery, and the knee is actually feeling better than before,” Smith revealed. “It’s definitely a great feeling just to have that full confidence in myself and know that I can go play 100 percent right now.”

The Romulus, Michigan native will be the rare player to reach his seventh season of college football. He began his career at Eastern Michigan (2020-21) where he played only three games and did not use up any eligibility due to the COVID season and a redshirt year.

After transferring to SIU in 2022, Smith played in 17 games from 2022-24, primarily on special teams, before ultimately earning a starting job last season.

Smith said the opportunity to block for DJ Williams again this year was a big reason he requested an NCAA waiver.

“We have a veteran quarterback who can do it all,” Smith said. “The fire he brought to the team and the leadership that he brings to the offense, it's definitely a blessing to have him back.”

Last year, SIU’s offensive line earned the highest unit-grade by Pro Football Focus among all FCS teams, an accomplishment the line took great pride in.

“Just seeing that we actually got some recognition is a blessing,” Smith said. “For me personally, it gave me even more of a passion just to keep blocking for the guys. As one of the older guys, I need to anchor the room, lead by example, and just make a statement every day by showing them how to come to work.”

When his football career eventually comes to an end, Smith said he’s looking to get into the sports public relations field and would like to work for a pro team in the NFL, NBA or MLB.