The first of ChicagoBears.com's four-part series "Meet the Rookies" features first-round draft pick Roquan Smith, an inside linebacker from Georgia.

Growing up in Montezuma, Ga, a tiny town with a population of 3,500, Smith learned the values that helped him earn his way to the NFL.

"The neighborhood and the community I grew up in, you fight for everything and everything you get you pretty much have to earn it," Smith said. "I feel like what my family instilled in me was not to take anything lightly and just to take advantage of everything because you never know."

Smith also discusses how he first started playing football at the age of six and fell in love with the game immediately. In high school, his determination and drive were evident to head coach Larry Harold.

"He's worked relentlessly," Harold said. "People always wonder what makes successful people successful. I've had a front row seat to watch. He's different. He's going to work in the classroom and at the practice field. He's the hardest worker. There's nothing that he won't do to be successful."

The "Meet the Rookies" series will continue the rest of the week, featuring inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe Tuesday, receiver Anthony Miller Wednesday and offensive lineman James Daniels Thursday. The series, brought to you by PNC, tells the story of each player's journey to the NFL in their own words.

The episodes will be released on ChicagoBears.com, the free Chicago Bears Official App brought to you by Verizon and Bears social media channels, including Facebook Watch.

This marks the fourth year of the Bears "Meet the Rookies" series.

The series will culminate with a 30-minute special hosted by Bears radio play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak featuring all four episodes on WFLD FOX 32 on Saturday, June 30, at 9:30 p.m.