Kevin Smith (running back)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Kevin Smith


caption=
currentteam=Detroit Lions
currentnumber=34
currentposition=Running back
|birthdate=birth date and age|1986|12|17
birthplace=Miami, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=217
debutyear=2008
debutteam=Detroit Lions
college=UCF
draftyear=2008
draftround=3
draftpick=64
pastteams=
* Detroit Lions (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Second-team All-Conference USA (2006)
* First-team All-Conference USA (2007)
* C-USA Co-Offensive P.O.Y. (2007)
* Consensus All-American (2007)
* Doak Walker Award semifinalist (2007)
statweek=
statseason=
statlabel1=
statvalue1=
statlabel2=
statvalue2=
statlabel3=
statvalue3=
nfl=SMI461535

Kevin Smith (born December 17, 1986 in city-state|Miami|Florida) is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Early years

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

College career

During the 2007 season, Kevin Smith ran for 2,567 yards, the second highest single-season rushing total after Barry Sanders' 2,628 yards in the 1988 season. He also set the single-season FBS record for rushing attempts with 450, including 35 in the 2007 Liberty Bowl. Smith also scored 30 touchdowns (29 rushing, 1 receiving) to lead the nation in scoring for the season. People consider Barry Sanders record to be greater due to the fact that Smith played in more games than Barry and counted his bowl game.

Early in the season, Smith was touted as a dark horse candidate for the Heisman trophy, [Smith is a Heisman Candidate - "Daytona Beach News Journal" [http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Headlines/sptFBC04092307.htm] ] [Smith shows talent that could be worthy of a Heisman Trophy - "Orlando Sentinel" [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-fbcucf2707sep27,0,7007809.story] ] and ended up finishing in eighth place with 55 total points and three first-place votes [Expanded Heisman Trophy voting results [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6700005/] ] to become only the second player (after Daunte Culpepper) from UCF to receive Heisman votes.

He was also the first consensus All-American from UCF, [ [http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120907aaa.html UCF's Smith Secures Consensus All-America Honor :: Junior running back is the first Knight in school history to earn the consensus honor ] ] being selected to almost every 2007 All-American First Team, including SI.com's. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/12/10/all.americas/index.html SI.com's All-Americas] , SI.com, December 11, 2007.]

On December 18, 2007 Smith announced that he would stay for his senior season at UCF. At that time, he had amassed 4,679 career rushing yards, and would only have needed 1,718 yards in his senior year to break Ron Dayne's career mark of 6,397 yards. However, on January 6, 2008 Smith reversed his previous decision and announced his intention to bypass his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Professional career

Pre-Draft

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

He also jumped a 33.5" vertical jump and benched 225 lbs. 15 times. Smith was projected as a third- to fourth-round pick. [cite web|title=Pro Day Workout|publisher=NFL.com|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story;jsessionid=E13AD9F0C822BD5E48289D3F14642DD9?id=09000d5d806b4a39&template=with-video&confirm=true|accessdate=2008-03-25]

Detroit Lions

Smith was drafted 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. 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 would be backed by former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Rudi Johnson, who the team signed just days before the season opener. Smith was benched after week four of the season and replaced by Johnson. [cite web
last =McRae
first =Bryce
title =Detroit Lions RB Rudi Johnson will start Week 5
publisher =KFFL
date =2008-09-30
url =http://www.kffl.com/article.php/94377/512
accessdate =2008-09-30 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.imkevinsmith.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.detroitlions.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=513&season=10 Detroit Lions bio]
* [http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/smith_kevin00.html UCF Knights bio]