Detron Smith

Last updated

Detron Smith
No. 42, 39, 33
Position: Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1974-02-25) February 25, 1974 (age 50)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas)
College: Texas A&M
NFL draft: 1996  / Round: 3 / Pick: 65
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:5
Rushing yards:17
Receptions:13
Receiving yards:103
Receiving touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Detron Nigel Smith (born February 25, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1999.

Contents

High school and college

Smith was a consensus Texas Top 100 selection at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas and was rated the second-best fullback prospect in the Southwest, receiving a perfect score of 10 points on Max Emfinger's Blue Chip List. During his career at Lake Highlands, he carried the ball 181 times for 1,351 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and scored 15 touchdowns.

Smith was primarily a blocking back during his career at Texas A&M, creating holes for future NFL running backs Rodney Thomas, Greg Hill, and Leeland McElroy. He rushed 57 times for 184 yards (3.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while catching 33 passes for 300 yards (9.1 yards per catch) with a long of 35 yards. Smith also returned five kickoffs for 54 yards. During his first two years at A&M (1992–93), Smith's running backs coach was his future Broncos offensive coordinator and current Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak. Smith made a key block on a McElroy touchdown in the 1993 game against Texas that secured the Southwest Conference title for the Aggies. [1]

NFL

Smith was the first blocking fullback selected when he was drafted in the third round (65th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, and the second true fullback behind only Tampa Bay's Mike Alstott. [2] In April 2002, after six seasons in Denver, Smith was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. [3] However, he was released before making an appearance and played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2002 and 2003. [4] He was released by the Colts in early 2004. [5]

During his tenure in the NFL, Smith was known as a high energy player who would sacrifice his body on blocking and special teams alike. With both the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, Smith instantly became a fan favorite with his big hits on special teams and willingness to do the little things. In total, he played in 113 games over 8 seasons, highlighted by his selection to the Pro Bowl 1999 and two Super Bowl rings won with the Broncos (Super Bowl XXXII in 1997 and Super Bowl XXXIII in 1998).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peyton Manning</span> American football player (born 1976)

Peyton Williams Manning is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos. Manning is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. A member of the Manning football dynasty, he is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, older brother of former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, and uncle of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, winning the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards as a senior en route to victory in the 1997 SEC Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Wayne</span> American football player and coach (born 1978)

Reginald Wayne is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 30th overall pick. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Wayne was a member of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI. He ranks second in Colts' franchise history to Marvin Harrison in major receiving categories: receptions, receiving yards, targets, and receiving touchdowns. On December 14, 2014, Wayne played in both his 209th game and his 142nd win as a member of the Colts, breaking the franchise records set by Peyton Manning.

Thomas Dean Rathman is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Smith</span> American football player (born 1977)

Hunter Dwight Smith is a former American football punter. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

Timothy LaRaySmith is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Smith rose to fame after setting a rushing record in Super Bowl XXII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Kubiak</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Gary Wayne Kubiak is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos before coaching, serving as head coach for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2013 and the Broncos from 2015 to 2016 before stepping down from the position on January 1, 2017, citing health reasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Neal</span> American football player (born 1970)

Lorenzo LaVonne Neal is an American former football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans, the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders. Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000-plus-yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owen Daniels</span> American football player (born 1982)

Owen Gerald Daniels is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. As a member of the Broncos, he helped the team win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.

Howard Griffith is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1991 to 2001. While playing college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Griffith set the NCAA single-game record for touchdowns with eight. It occurred on September 22, 1990, against Southern Illinois University in a 56–21 Illinois win. Raised in Chicago, Griffith attended now defunct Mendel Catholic Prep High School of the Chicago Catholic League until his sophomore year. For his junior year, he transferred to Julian High School, where he was an All-City performer.

Curtis Raymond Dickey is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons, spending most of his career with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts before finishing his career with the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Texas A&M University.

Leeland Anthony McElroy is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the 1990s. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, and was recognized as a consensus All-American kick returner. A second-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Hester</span> American football player (born 1985)

Jacob Troy Hester is a former American football fullback who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University.

Aaron Chautezz Hayden is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, the Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Hayden played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL draft. He played four years in the NFL, and retired in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Brown (running back)</span> American football player (born 1986)

Andre Brown is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Miller</span> American football player (born 1989)

Vonnie B'VSean Miller is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Miller played college football at Texas A&M, where he earned consensus All-American honors and the Butkus Award. He was selected by the Denver Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevan Ridley</span> American football player (born 1989)

Stevan Todd Ridley is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. Ridley was also a member of the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Thomas</span> American football player (born 1988)

Julius Dewayne Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and basketball at Portland State, and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Turbin</span> American football player (born 1989)

Robert James Turbin is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies, and was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Seahawks. With the Seahawks, he won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos. He has also played for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts. He appears on CBS Sports Network as a commentator for their college football broadcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Juszczyk</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Patrick Juszczyk is an American professional football fullback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Harvard Crimson, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip Dorsett</span> American football player (born 1993)

Phillip Howard Dorsett II is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played for the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos.

References

  1. ↑ Lutz, Michael (November 26, 1993). "Aggies Wrap Up Southwest Title". The Day. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Jags Sign Detron Smith". Lakeland Ledger. April 9, 2002. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Detron Smith NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ Weisman, Larry (March 2, 2004). "Colts, Manning Agree on Record Contract". USA Today . Retrieved May 6, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.