Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith (born December 17, 1986 in Miami, Florida) is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Smith attended Southridge High School in Miami, Florida and was a good student and played football. In football, he was a three-year letterman, a two-time All-Dade County selection as both, a running back and as a safety, and as a junior, he rushed for 1,125 yards and 15 touchdowns.

College Career

Kevin Smith had a tremendous college career, becoming Central Florida's all-time leading rusher after just three seasons (2005-07). He started 34 out of 36 games for the Knights, establishing new career records with 905 carries for 4,864 yards (5.37 avg) and 45 touchdowns. His 4,864 yards rank second in Conference USA history. His 180 points scored in 2007 rank fourth on the NCAA season-record chart. During his junior campaign Smith set a major college record of 450 rushing attempts, topping the old mark of 405 carries by Marcus Allen (USC) in 1981 and falling just 62 yards shy of setting the NCAA season-rushing record of 2,628 yards set by former Lions great, Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State) in 1988.

Early in his last season, Smith was touted as a dark horse candidate for the Heisman trophy, and ended up finishing in eighth place with 55 total points and three first-place votes to become only the second UCF player (after Daunte Culpepper, his future Lions teammate) to receive Heisman votes.

He was also the first consensus All-American from UCF, being selected to almost every 2007 All-American First Team, including SI.com's.


Professional Dareer

Smith ran 40 yard dash times of 4.45 and 4.47 at his Pro Day. He also jumped a 33.5" vertical jump and benched 225 lbs. 15 times. Smith was projected as a third- to fourth-round pick. Smith was drafted by the Detroit Lions after they traded up with the Miami Dolphins for the first pick of the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a 3-year, $1.79 million contract on July 22.

After an impressive preseason showing, Smith was named the starting running back for the Lions for the 2008 season. Smith would be backed by former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Rudi Johnson, who the team signed just days before the season opener. Smith was benched after week four of the season and replaced by Johnson briefly, before he took the job back for good.

In 2008, Smith led the Lions in rushing attempts (238), rushing yards (976; fourth in the league among rookie rushers), rushing average (4.1) and rushing touchdowns (8; third-highest tally by a rookie in team history).

On July 29th, 2009, Smith was a guest on the Jim Rome show, during which he referred to himself as the "Lead Dog," due to his willingness to work hard and become a team leader.