T.J. Smith came to the University of Arkansas as a three-star recruit out of Colquitt Country High School, though he played his first three years of prep ball at North Stanley High in New London, North Carolina.
As a senior at Colquitt, Smith helped lead his team to an undefeated 15-0 season and a state championship at the 6A level. He posted 46 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and four sacks on the year.
After redshirting his first year on campus, Smith then saw playing time in five games in 2016. He parlayed that campaign in a starting job as a redshirts sophomore, getting the nod in all 12 games during the 2017 season.