Rod Smith (running back)
| No. 45 Dallas Cowboys | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Halfback/Fullback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth: | January 10, 1992 | ||||||||||||||
| Place of birth: | Fort Wayne, Indiana | ||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Fort Wayne (IN) Harding | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Ohio State | ||||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2015 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2015 | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
Rod Smith (born January 10, 1992) is an American football fullback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at Ohio State.
Early years
Smith attended Paul Harding High School, where he received All-state and player of the year honors as a senior. He graduated after rushing 1,000 times for a SAC conference career rushing record of 6,625 yards and 66 touchdowns.
He accepted a scholarship from Ohio State University. As a fifth year senior, he was dismissed from the football team after a failed drug test and decided to declare for the NFL Draft.[1][2] He finished his college career with 549 rushing yards on 107 carries with 10 touchdowns.
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Smith signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2015.[3] On October 10, he was promoted to the active roster and was released after playing in one game.[4][5]
Dallas Cowboys
On October 14, 2015, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.[6] He became the third-string running back after Joseph Randle was released on November 3. He appeared in 10 games, playing mainly on special teams and having one kickoff return for 26 yards.
In 2016, he was moved to fullback during OTAs, although he didn't have the traditional size and body. He competed with converted linebacker Keith Smith for the position and both made the team, although Rod was used only for special teams purposes. On November 3, after injuries to Morris Claiborne and Barry Church, the Cowboys were forced to release him to make room for cornerback Leon McFadden. He was re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[7][8] At the time, he was tied for second on the team with 4 special teams tackles. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 16, 2017.[9]
Personal life
His younger brother Jaylon Smith was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.[10]
References
- ↑ Rod Smith out after failed drug test
- ↑ Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer confirms RB Rod Smith's dismissal from team
- ↑ Rod Smith, dismissed from Ohio State football team in October, signs undrafted free agent deal with Seattle Seahawks
- ↑ Seattle Seahawks promote RB Rod Smith to 53-man roster, place CB Tharold Simon on IR
- ↑ Seattle Seahawks release WR B.J. Daniels, RB Rod Smith
- ↑ Cowboys claim Seattle RB Rod Smith off waivers
- ↑ Phillips, Rob (November 3, 2016). "Cowboys Waive Fullback Rod Smith, Create Open Roster Spot". DallasCowboys.com.
- ↑ "Cowboys Sign FB Rod Smith To Practice Squad". November 5, 2016.
- ↑ Eatman, Nick (January 16, 2017). "Showers, Rod Smith Among 12 Players Signed To Cowboys Offseason Roster". DallasCowboys.com.
- ↑ Merrill, Elizabeth. "Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith cries, celebrates draft selection". espn.go.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.