Chris Smith (running back, born 1999)

Chris Smith
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1999-09-08) September 8, 1999 (age 25)
Meridian, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Nanih Waiya
(Louisville, Mississippi)
College:Louisiana (2018–2022)
Undrafted:2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:American
Career highlights and awards

Chris Smith (born September 8, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Louisiana.

Early life

Smith was born on September 8, 1999, in Meridian, Mississippi. He attended Nanih Waiya High School, being named the 2016 "Mr. Football".[1]

College career

2018–2019

Smith committed to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, spending his first year as a redshirt and appearing in four games. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Smith appeared in every game of the season and placed fourth on the roster with 334 rushing yards. He ran for four touchdowns on the year.[1]

2020–2021

In 2020, Smith appeared in all 11 games for the school and served as their return specialist and third running back. As a returner, Smith made 23 kick returns for 617 yards and two touchdowns, and twice earned conference special teams player of the week honors. He finished the season with 1,137 all-purpose yards, 30th most in the nation.[1] Following the season, he was named a first-team All-America selection by CBS and 247Sports.com.[2]

In 2021, Smith earned the starting running back role and led the team with 855 rushing yards on the year.[3] In a 28–27 win over Arkansas State, he ran for a career-high 238 yards and two touchdowns.[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 8+5⁄8 in
(1.74 m) 		194 lb
(88 kg) 		30+3⁄8 in
(0.77 m) 		8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.49 s 1.40 s 2.51 s 4.44 s 7.20 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 12 reps
All values from Pro Day[5]

Seattle Seahawks

Smith signed with the Seattle Seahawks on May 12, 2023 as an undrafted free agent.[6] He was waived on June 1, 2023.[7]

San Antonio Brahmas

On June 16, 2023, Smith was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas as part of the XFL Rookie Draft.[8] He was signed on October 24, 2023.[9]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

On February 5, 2024, it was announced that Smith signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chris Smith - Football - Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.
  2. ^ Prather, Scott (December 23, 2020). "Ragin' Cajun RB/KR Chris Smith Named 1st Team All-American". ESPN.
  3. ^ Buckley, Tim (December 13, 2021). "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns running back Chris Smith questionable for the New Orleans Bowl". The Daily Advertiser.
  4. ^ Buckley, Tim (October 22, 2021). "After losing friend to gun violence, Chris Smith runs for 238 yards for Ragin' Cajuns". The Daily Advertiser.
  5. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Chris Smith College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Seahawks Sign 25 Undrafted Free Agents, Six 2023 Draft Picks". Seahawks.com. May 12, 2023.
  7. ^ "Seahawks Sign Cornerbacks Montrae Braswell & Benjie Franklin". Seahawks.com. June 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "XFL Completes Rookie Draft". www.xfl.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "XFL Transactions". www.xfl.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "2024 CFL Transactions". CFL.ca. Retrieved February 6, 2024.