Kevin Smith (running back)

Last updated

Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith running back.jpg
Smith with the Lions
Ole Miss Rebels
Position:Running backs coach
Personal information
Born: (1986-12-17) December 17, 1986 (age 37)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Miami Southridge
College: UCF
NFL draft: 2008  / round: 3 / pick: 64
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • UCF (2015)
    Coaching intern
  • UCF (2016)
    Quality control administrator
  • Florida Atlantic (2017–2019)
    Running backs coach
  • Ole Miss (2020–2021)
    Running backs coach
  • Miami (FL) (2022)
    Running backs coach
  • Ole Miss (2023–present)
    Running backs coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:598
Rushing yards:2,346
Rushing touchdowns:17
Receptions:123
Receiving yards:1,082
Receiving touchdowns:5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kevin Ryan Smith (born December 17, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights, receiving consensus All-American honors in 2007. Smith was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft, and played for the Lions for five seasons. He is the current running backs coach at Ole Miss.

Contents

Early life

Smith attended Southridge High School in Miami, Florida. In football, he was a three-year letterman, a two-time All-Dade County selection as both a running back and a safety, and as a junior, rushed for 1,125 yards and 15 touchdowns.

College career

Smith attended the University of Central Florida, where he played for the UCF Knights football team from 2004 to 2007. He had a standout college career as a Knight, becoming UCF's all-time leading rusher after just three seasons (2005–07). He started 34 out of 36 games for the Knights, establishing new career records with 905 carries for 4,864 yards (5.37 avg) and 45 touchdowns. His 4,864 yards rank second in Conference USA history. His 180 points scored in 2007 rank fourth on the NCAA season-record chart. During his junior campaign Smith set a major college record of 450 rushing attempts, topping the old mark of 405 carries by Marcus Allen (USC) in 1981 and falling just 62 yards shy of setting the NCAA season-rushing record of 2,628 yards set by former Lions great, Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State) in 1988. [1]

Early in his last season, Smith was touted as a dark horse candidate for the Heisman trophy, [2] [3] and ended up finishing in eighth place with 55 total points and three first-place votes [4] to become only the second UCF player (after Daunte Culpepper) to receive Heisman votes.

He was also the first consensus All-American from UCF, [5] being selected to almost every 2007 All-American First-team, including SI.com's. [6]

College statistics

RushingReceiving
YearTeamGPAttYardsAvgTDsRecYardsTDs
2005UCF132491,1784.798440
2006UCF92069344.57231580
2007UCF144502,5675.729242421
College Totals369054,6795.245554441

Source: [7]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Smith ran 40-yard dash times of 4.45 and 4.47 seconds at his Pro Day.

He also achieved a 33.5" vertical jump and benched 225 lbs. 15 times. Smith was projected as a third- to fourth-round pick. [8]

Detroit Lions

Smith was selected by the Detroit Lions after they traded up with the Miami Dolphins for the first pick of the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. [9] He signed a 3-year, $1.79 million contract on July 22.

After an impressive preseason showing, Smith was named the starting running back for the Lions for the 2008 season. Smith was backed by former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Rudi Johnson, whom the Lions had signed just days before the first game of the season. Smith was benched after week four and was briefly replaced by Johnson, before winning back the starting spot for the duration of the season. [10]

In 2008, Smith led the Lions in rushing attempts (238), rushing yards (976; fourth in the league among rookie rushers), rushing average (4.1) and rushing touchdowns (8; third-highest tally by a rookie in team history).

In Week 8 of the 2009 season against the St. Louis Rams Smith tackled James Butler off an interception in the end zone for a safety after Butler ran out and then ran back in the end zone.

On March 3, 2011, the Lions declined to tender an offer to Smith, making him an unrestricted free agent for the upcoming NFL season. [11] However, on November 7, he was re-signed by Detroit. The move became necessary after Jahvid Best was sidelined following his second concussion of the year. [12] On November 20, Smith ran for 140 yards rushing on 16 carries and 61 yards on four receptions. He ran for two touchdowns and caught another as the Lions came back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Carolina Panthers 49-35. [13] On November 24, he was carted off the sidelines after a non-contact injury to his lower leg during the second quarter, it was later revealed that he had a mild ankle sprain with an undetermined return date. [14] After missing several games in December, Kevin Smith returned to the field in week 16 of the 2011 season and found the end zone once through the air and once on the ground as the Lions defeated the Chargers 38-10. Smith’s second touchdown, a 6-yard run in the third quarter, gave the Lions 51 touchdowns on the season, establishing a new franchise high. Smith finished the game with 15 carries for 49 yards and two catches for 12 for a combined 61 yards of offense. [15]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Smith signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in May 2014. [16] He was released on June 2, 2014 after pulling a hamstring on the first day of training camp. [17]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
2008 DET 16122389764.1508392867.3270
2009 DET 13132177473.43144141510.1631
2010 DET 60341333.91501112311.2270
2011 DET 74723564.9434221798.1283
2012 DET 122371343.619110797.9131
54315982,3463.950171231,0828.8635

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
2011 DET 116213.59022010.0130
116213.59022010.0130

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Sanders</span> American football player (born 1968)

Barry Sanders is an American former professional football running back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite being only 5 ft 8 in tall and weighing 203 lbs. Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As a junior in 1988, he compiled what is widely considered the greatest individual season by a running back in college football history, rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games. He won the Heisman Trophy and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

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

Reginald Alfred Bush III is an American former professional football running back who was an on-air college football analyst for Fox Sports. He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors twice and winning the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in the nation. Bush is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Sims</span> American football player (born 1955)

Billy Ray Sims is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons from 1980 to 1984. Sims played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was a two-time consensus All-American, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1978. He was the first overall pick in the 1980 NFL draft, selected by the Detroit Lions. After three pro-bowl selections, his career was prematurely ended by a knee injury suffered in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrison Hearst</span> American football player (born 1971)

Gerard Garrison Hearst is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. A first-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, he also played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos of the NFL. He ran for 1,000 yards or more in four different seasons. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2001.

Brian Calhoun is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Owens (American football)</span> American football player and administrator (born 1947)

Loren Everett "Steve" Owens is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons with the Detroit Lions. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he won the 1969 Heisman Trophy and was named to the All-American team. He was selected in the first round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Lions, and became the first Lion to rush for over a 1,000 yards in a season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UCF Knights football</span> Football team representing the University of Central Florida

The UCF Knights football team represents the University of Central Florida in the sport of American football. The Knights compete in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are a member of the Big 12 Conference. Their head coach is Gus Malzahn. The Knights play their home games at the 48,000-seat FBC Mortgage Stadium, which is located on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida, United States.

Troy Davis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, finishing as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Davis twice earned consensus All-American honors and was the first and one of only two NCAA Division I-A running backs to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. In 2016, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He played professionally for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and was a member of the Eskimos' Grey Cup championship team in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Baker</span> American gridiron football and basketball player (born 1941)

Terry Wayne Baker is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football and basketball at Oregon State University, where he was a member and president of Phi Delta Theta. Baker played for the Oregon State Beavers football team from 1960 to 1962, winning the Heisman Trophy as a senior. In the spring of his senior year, he led the basketball team to the 1963 Final Four. To date, he is the only athlete to win a Heisman Trophy and play in the Final Four.

Jerome Harrison is an American former professional football player who was a running back for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning recognition as a consensus All-American in 2005. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft, and also played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. A brain tumor ended his career in 2011.

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

Ian Blake Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Malzahn</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Arthur Gustavo Malzahn III is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He was the head football coach at Auburn University from 2013 to 2020. He helped lead the 2010 Auburn Tigers to a national championship. As head coach at Auburn, he led the team to a SEC Championship win and an appearance in the 2014 national championship. Malzahn has coached Heisman winner Cam Newton and two Heisman finalists: Nick Marshall and Tre Mason, including coaching 14 All-Americans. During Malzahn's tenure at Auburn, he was the second-longest tenured head coach at one school in the SEC, behind Nick Saban. Out of active head coaches, Malzahn also holds the best record against Coach Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, in his fourth season with the school. The season was highlighted by the completion of their new on-campus stadium. The Knights moved out of the aging Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando, and began playing their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium, located on the main campus of UCF in east Orlando, Florida. In addition, the team changed its nickname from "Golden Knights" back to simply "Knights." From its inception in 1979 to 1992, the football team had been known as the Knights, then used the name "Golden Knights" from 1993 until 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jahvid Best</span> American football player and coach (born 1989)

Jahvid Andre Best is an American track and field Olympian athlete, and former professional football running back. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for the California Golden Bears, setting several school records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and most rushing yards in a single game. Best also led the Pac-10 in total rushing yards in 2008. Best competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics, representing Saint Lucia in track and field. He later became head football coach of the Saint Mary's College High School Panthers in Berkeley, California, for one season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montee Ball</span> American football player (born 1990)

Montee Ball Jr. is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, twice earning consensus All-American honors. Until November 2015, Ball held NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) records for the most career rushing touchdowns with 77 and the most career total touchdowns with 83. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Marquette Smith is a former American football running back. Mostly known for his prep and college career, he spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL), but knee injuries in successive years during the pre-season kept him off the field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latavius Murray</span> American football player (born 1990)

Latavius Rashard Murray is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCF Knights and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft, with whom he would earn Pro Bowl honors in 2015. He was also a member of the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills.

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

Ameer Abdullah is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In 2013, Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards, fourth most for a single season in University of Nebraska history. He decided not to enter the NFL draft at the end of his junior year, but instead to return for his senior season. He was considered a contender for the 2014 Heisman Trophy. He is a native of Homewood, Alabama.

Storm Johnson is an American former professional football running back. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at UCF.

The 1975 Big Ten Conference football season was the 80th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1975 NCAA Division I football season.

References

  1. "Detroit Lions Site: Kevin Smith". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
  2. Smith is a Heisman Candidate - Daytona Beach News Journal [ permanent dead link ]
  3. Smith shows talent that could be worthy of a Heisman Trophy - Orlando Sentinel
  4. Expanded Heisman Trophy voting results Archived May 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "UCF's Smith Secures Consensus All-America Honor :: Junior running back is the first Knight in school history to earn the consensus honor". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
  6. SI.com's All-Americas, SI.com, December 11, 2007.
  7. "Kevin Smith College Stats".
  8. "Pro Day Workout". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
  9. "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. McRae, Bryce (September 30, 2008). "Detroit Lions RB Rudi Johnson will start Week 5". KFFL. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  11. "Lions set Kevin Smith free, decline to tender - NFL- NBC Sports". Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  12. Lions bring back Kevin Smith | ProFootballTalk
  13. "MLive.com". Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  14. "Kevin Smith has mild ankle sprain, could be back next week". NBC Sports. November 25, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  15. Fantasy Football Kevin Smith : Fantasy News
  16. Friesen, Paul (May 20, 2014). "Bombers sign former Detroit Lion running back Kevin Smith". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  17. Taut, Ed (June 2, 2014). "Bombers release Kevin Smith". winnipegfreepress.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.