
Position: Defender
Birthdate: 11/25/1995
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Previous Club: Memphis 901 FC
College: University of Denver
Height: 6-3
Graham enters his second season with the Battery after signing a multi-year contract in December 2023. The reigning USL Championship Defender of the Year and two-time All-League selection will look to anchor Charleston’s back line again in 2025.
Smith, 29, was the top defender in the Championship in 2024 and garnered Defender of the Year, All-League First Team and USLPA Best Eleven honors accordingly.
In 2024, the center-back led the Battery in matches (39) and minutes played (3,468) across all competitions, playing an instrumental role in the run to the Eastern Conference Final. Smith’s banner year included him recording 174 clearances (team-high), 29 blocks (team-high), 30 interceptions, 23 tackles won, 183 duels won and two goals in Championship play. His performances helped the Battery rank fourth in the USL Championship with a goals-against average of 1.03 during the regular season and second in the league with an Expected Goals Against mark of 35.34xGA, per Opta.
Smith became the first Battery player to win Defender of the Year since Colin Falvey took home the award in 2013.
The 6-3 center-back’s 2023 season was a true tour de force in anchoring Memphis 901 FC’s defense. Smith led Memphis in clearances (133), blocks (15) and aerial duels won (91) across 30 appearances in the regular season and playoffs. He additionally contributed two assists and one goal.
Smith was an All-League Second Team selection in 2022 when he played under Head Coach Ben Pirmann in Memphis. He also led the team in clearances (152), blocks (26) and aerial duels won (89) that year.
Smith began his professional career in 2018 when he was drafted 18th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City, debuting in MLS later that year. The defender made 21 appearances with Sporting across four seasons and also featured for Sporting KC II during his stay in Kansas.
A native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Smith played collegiately at the University of Denver, where he led the Pioneers to the NCAA Tournament semifinals in 2016 and garnered multiple all-conference honors across two seasons. Smith played for Oregon State University for two seasons before transferring back to his home state.



