Paul Smith (quarterback)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Paul Smith


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currentteam=Jacksonville Jaguars
currentnumber=12
currentposition=Quarterback
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|7|2
birthplace=Owasso, Oklahoma
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=208
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Tulsa
undraftedyear=2008
pastteams=
* Jacksonville Jaguars (2008-present)
status=Practice Squad
highlights=
* Liberty Bowl MVP (2005)
* Second-team All-Conference USA (2006)
* First-team All-Conference USA (2007)
* C-USA co-Offensive P.O.Y. (2007)
* Wuerffel Trophy (2007)
* GMAC Bowl MVP (2008)
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nfl=SMI569270

Paul Smith (born July 2, 1984 in city-state|Midwest City|Oklahoma) is an American football quarterback who is a practice squad player for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Tulsa.

College career

Smith was tagged as one of Conference USA's top quarterbacks in preseason, along with such players as future Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb, and was widely recognized as the leader and face of the Tulsa football program. In Tulsa's scheme, Smith threw many screen passes to running backs Tarrion Adams, Courtney Tennial, and wide receiver Ryan Bugg. The Golden Hurricane jumped out to a stellar 7-1 start with the inside track on a second straight West Division championship, but the team experienced a breakdown amid turmoil resulting from rumors of teams trying to woo away coach Steve Kragthorpe. Tulsa lost its contest against Utah in the Armed Forces Bowl 25-13, making their season record stand at 8-5.

Smith led the Golden Hurricane to a 10-4 record and a win in the 2008 GMAC Bowl while also winning the 2007 Conference USA player of the year award ["KTUL", November 28, 2007. [http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1107/476204.html Paul Smith Is CUSA Co-Player of the Year] . Accessed January 7, 2008.] In 2007, Smith won the Wuerffel Trophy which goes to the top humanitarian in college football [ [http://209.184.242.25/sports/extra/article.aspx?tab=tu&subjectID=94&articleid=071205_2_B7_YWorl45440 Smith Lauded for Service] by Eric Bailey, "Tulsa World", December 5, 2007.] and was a finalist for the Draddy Trophy. He was also selected to play in the 2008 Cornerstone Hula Bowl, where he passed for 47 yards and ran for the game's first two touchdowns for the winning Aina (East) team. [ [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080113_2_B3_spanc62017 Smith Starts in Hula Bowl Win] by Eric Bailey, "Tulsa World", January 10, 2008]

A three-year starter with the Golden Hurricane, Smith threw a combined 82 touchdown passes and 34 interceptions while taking his team to 3 straight bowl appearances. Smith holds the NCAA record with 14 consecutive games passing for more than 300 yards. [Bailey, Eric. "." "Tulsa World", January 7, 2008. [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?subjectID=231&articleID=20080107_2_B1_YWorl51877 Tulsa wins No. 10] . Accessed January 7, 2008.]

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

Although Smith was not picked in the 2008 NFL Draft, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 28. Jacksonville immediately waived their third-team quarterback, allowing Smith to take his spot on the scout team. Although possessing many skills sought in a good quarterback, Smith's career prospects in the NFL are hampered by his size and mobility.

On July 31, 2008 Smith was waived so the Jaguars could sign free agent guard Chris Liwienski. On August 31, 2008, Smith was re-signed to the Jaguars' practice squad. [ [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080831_298_2_Form803066 "Ex-TU quarterback Paul Smith signs with Jaguars,"] "Tulsa World", August 31, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Player.aspx?id=2806 Jacksonville Jaguars bio]
* [http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/smith_paul00.html Tulsa Golden Hurricanes bio]