Will Smith (linebacker, born 1992)

Will Smith
No. 58, 40, 37, 57
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-13) January 13, 1992 (age 32)
Riverside, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:Notre Dame (Riverside, California)
College:Texas Tech
NFL draft:2014 / round: 7 / pick: 238
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at CFL.ca

William Lamont Smith (born January 13, 1992) is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Texas Tech University.

Early life

Smith attended Notre Dame High School, where he competed in football, basketball and ran track. He received honorable-mention All-county honors in both football and basketball.

College career

He began his college career playing football at the NCAA Division II level at Northwood University. He appeared in 8 games in 2010 as a freshman, making 22 tackles (one for loss) and one forced fumble. After the season, he transferred to Riverside City College in his hometown

As a sophomore he started 11 games, registering 88 tackles (second on the team), 13 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions (one returned for a 75-yard touchdown), while helping the team to a perfect 11–0 record and a number 5 national ranking. At the end of the year, he announced his intention to transfer to NCAA Division I Texas Tech University in 2012.

As a junior, he played in all 13 games (11 starts), collecting 55 tackles (1.5 for loss), 34 solo tackles and 3 quarterback hurries. His performance would earn him a third-team All-Big 12 selection by Phil Steele and an honorable-mention by the AP.[1]

Smith's senior season in 2013 earned him several accolades. He started 13 games, posting 120 tackles (third in the conference), 86 solo tackles (led the conference), 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and a fumble return for a touchdown. He had 18 tackles against the University of Texas. His mark of 120 tackles was the most by a Red Raider since the NCAA record setting Lawrence Flugence's 193 in 2002.

For his performances throughout the season, Smith earned Holiday Bowl defensive MVP honors, as well as first-team All-Big 12 Conference selections by the Associated Press and the Big 12 Broadcasters.[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		231 lb
(105 kg) 		4.59 s 1.62 s 2.73 s 4.53 s 7.04 s 37+1⁄2 in
(0.95 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 17 reps
All values from Texas Tech Pro Day

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (238th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[3] He was waived on August 29 and signed to the practice squad. He was released to make room for defensive end Michael Sam on September 3.[4]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (first stint)

On October 10, 2014, he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) to their practice roster.[5] He was released on October 29 after playing in one game, so he could re-join the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On October 29, 2014, Smith was re-signed to the practice squad. On May 14, 2015, he was cut after rookie minicamp, to make room for tryout linebacker Donnie Baggs. He was re-signed on August 1, taking the roster spot created by the holdout of defensive end Jeremy Mincey. He was released on August 25 with a groin injury.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On May 28, 2016, he was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. He appeared in 11 games as a backup linebacker, posting 3 tackles (one for loss) and 9 special teams tackles.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (second stint)

On February 16, 2017, he was signed by the Blue Bombers.[6] He was released on May 1.[7]

Los Angeles Wildcats

In October 2019, he was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the 2020 XFL Supplemental Draft.[8] In March, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced that it would be cancelling the rest of the season.[9] Playing in all 5 games, he registered 28 tackles and one interception.[10] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[11]

References

  1. ^ Steele, Phil. "Phil Steele's Postseason All-Big 12 Team" (PDF). Phil Steele. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  2. ^ "2013 AP All-Big 12 Team". Associated Press. February 19, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  3. ^ "Cowboys pick Tech linebacker Will Smith in 7th round of NFL Draft". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. May 10, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "DE Michael Sam Joins The Cowboys' Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. September 3, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Bombers Add Linebacker to Practice Roster". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "Bombers Add Two To Roster". bluebombers.com. February 16, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Carr, Campbell among dozen players Bombers let go". Winnipeg Free Press. May 1, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Talbot, Damond (October 16, 2019). "XFL Draft Phase 5: The Final Rounds of the Draft, Find out who was selected". NFL Draft Diamonds. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  9. ^ "XFL Injured Reserve". XFL.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "XFL Will Smith stats". XFL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  11. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.