Rod Smith (running back)

Rod Smith
refer to caption
Smith in the 2017 NFL season.
No. 45 – Dallas Cowboys
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-10) January 10, 1992
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Paul Harding
(Fort Wayne, Indiana)
College: Ohio State
Undrafted: 2015
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2018
Rushing attempts: 64
Rushing yards: 264
Rushing touchdowns: 4
Receptions: 22
Receiving yards: 212
Receiving touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Rod Smith (born January 10, 1992) is an American football running back 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.[1] He graduated after rushing 1,000 times for a SAC conference career rushing record of 6,625 yards and 66 touchdowns.[2]

As a senior, he also was an All-conference basketball player and was a part of the state's runner-up 4 × 100 metres relay team.

College career

Smith accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University as a highly rated recruit.[3] As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 10 games, opening the season against the University of Akron with 18 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. The next week against the University of Toledo he started to show a fumble problem, diminishing the coaching staff confidence in him. His production was limited the rest of the season behind Dan Herron, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall. He registered 29 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown, while playing mainly on special teams. He was also suspended after missing the team flight to the 2012 Gator Bowl.

As a sophomore, he was a backup behind Hyde and Jordan, appearing in 12 games with 32 carries for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns. He led the team in kickoff returns (13), total return yards (303) and return average (23.3). His best game came against Penn State University, tallying 4 carries for 48 yards.

As a junior, he was suspended for an undisclosed offseason incident for the season opener against the University at Buffalo. He fell back in the running back rotation behind Hyde, Jordan, Dontre Wilson and Ezekiel Elliott. He recorded 22 carries for 117 yards (5.3-yard average) and one touchdown.

As a senior, he missed most of spring camp for academic reasons. He still emerged as the team's goal line running back behind sophomore starter Elliott, posting 24 carries for 101 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also contributing on special teams. On October 27, he was dismissed from the football team after a failed drug test and decided to declare for the NFL Draft.[4][5] He finished his college career with 549 rushing yards on 107 carries with 10 touchdowns.[6]

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 NFL Draft on May 2.[7] He was waived on September 5 and signed to the practice squad the next day.

On October 10, he was promoted to the active roster to provide depth while running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson recovered from injuries. He played in one game against the Cincinnati Bengals, rushing for 5 yards on 2 carries.[8][9] He was released on October 13.

Dallas Cowboys

On October 14, 2015, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.[10] 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.[11]

In 2016, he was moved to fullback during OTAs, although he did not 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.[12][13] 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.[14]

In 2017, he returned to running back behind Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden. During preseason, he was moved up to third-string because of his improved play and production on special teams. On September 17, in week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Smith had his first two Cowboys' carries, which went for eight yards during a 42–17 defeat.[15]

Elliott's six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, contributed to Smith earning more playing time behind Alfred Morris. In week 13 against the Washington Redskins he scored one rushing touchdown. In week 14 against the New York Giants, Smith scored two touchdowns, including an 81-yard reception, helping secure a 30-10 win.[16] In week 15 against the Oakland Raiders he scored a touchdown for the fourth game in a row. He was declared inactive for the last game against the Philadelphia Eagles, after battling an illness and a sore back. He finished the season with 232 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions, 202 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown.[17]

Statistics

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GGSAttYardsAvgTDRecYardsAvgTDFumLost
2015SEA 10252.50000.0000
DAL 100000.00166.0000
2016DAL 70000.00144.0000
2017DAL 131462094.531315812.1100
Career311482144.531516811.2100

Personal life

His younger brother Jaylon Smith plays linebacker in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Harding grad Rod Smith's journey to NFL filled with highlights and heartbreak". WANE. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  2. ↑ "The 'surreal' path brothers Jaylon, Rod Smith took to the Cowboys to play together for the first time". SportsDay. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  3. ↑ "Rod Smith College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  4. ↑ "Report: Ohio St. axes RB Smith for failed test". ESPN.com.
  5. ↑ "Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer confirms RB Rod Smith's dismissal from team".
  6. ↑ "Rod Smith Career Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  7. ↑ "Rod Smith, dismissed from Ohio State football team in October, signs undrafted free agent deal with Seattle Seahawks".
  8. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks promote RB Rod Smith to 53-man roster, place CB Tharold Simon on IR". 10 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks release WR B.J. Daniels, RB Rod Smith". 13 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "Cowboys claim Seattle RB Rod Smith off waivers". 14 October 2015.
  11. ↑ "Rod Smith 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  12. ↑ Phillips, Rob (November 3, 2016). "Cowboys Waive Fullback Rod Smith, Create Open Roster Spot". DallasCowboys.com.
  13. ↑ "Cowboys Sign FB Rod Smith To Practice Squad". November 5, 2016.
  14. ↑ Eatman, Nick (January 16, 2017). "Showers, Rod Smith Among 12 Players Signed To Cowboys Offseason Roster". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  16. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - December 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  17. ↑ "Rod Smith 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  18. ↑ Merrill, Elizabeth. "Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith cries, celebrates draft selection". ESPN.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
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