Team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position
Defensive Lineman
Date Range
2014-Present
Bio
TRANSACTION HISTORY:
- Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in September 2014
- Signed with the Buffalo Bills in December 2013
- Signed with the New York Jets in December 2012
- Signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in October 2012
- Signed with the Miami Dolphins in May 2012
AWARDS:
- 2011 – Pre-Season Lombardi Watch List
- 2011 – Pre-Season CFPA DL Watch List
- 2011 – Pre-Season 2nd-Team All-American (Lindy’s)
- 2011 – Pre-Season 1st-Team All-Big 12 (Lindy’s, Blue Ribbon)
- 2011 – Pre-Season 2nd-Team All-Big 12 (Athlon, Phil Steele)
- 2010 – 2nd-Team All-Big 12
- 2010 – Team Outstanding Underclassman Leadership Award
- 2009 – Team Spring Most Improved DL
COLLEGE:
2011 SEASON
- He was one of the top returning defensive ends in the Big 12 Conference who had a knack for being around the ball
- Was named in July to the pre-season watch list for the Lombardi Award, and also earned pre-season 2nd-Team All-American status from Lindy’s
- Sat at the top of the depth chart at one end position, after starting all 13 games the year before
- Had 19 career starts in all over the last three seasons
- Was an interdisciplinary studies major who graduated in December, taking only three-and-a-half years to earn his degree.
2010 SEASON
- Had an outstanding junior season that saw him earn 2nd-Team All-Big 12 honors for making 35 tackles, 10 TFLs and 5.5 QB sacks
- Also forced and recovered two fumbles and returned one of them for a TD
- Made two tackles against Illinois in the season opener
- Made three tackles, including 2.5 TFLs against Miami (Ohio)
- Recorded 1.5 sacks against the RedHawks
- Made four tackles (three solos), including two TFLs in the shutout of Colorado
- Had six tackles against Texas A&M
- Had three tackles against Oklahoma. Also forced a fumble and had one QB hurry
- Made four tackles and recorded a sack at Texas Tech
- Had three tackles, including one TFL and 0.5 sacks against Kansas State
- Also recovered two fumbles and returned one of them 53 yards for a touchdown against KSU
- Was his third career TD (also scored a INT against Furman in 2009 and on a fake FG against Colorado in 2009)
- Had three tackles against Iowa State, with al three going for a loss. Two of the three were sacks. Also forced a Cyclone fumble.
- Added one tackle against Kansas.
2009 SEASON
- Showed a knack for being around the ball and making plays, as he played in all 13 games, starting five of them while racking up 39 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks
- Provided plenty of big plays throughout the year, thanks to his having a hand in four turnovers
- Forced a pair of fumbles on the year (including a huge one which led to an offensive touchdown against Kansas), recovered a fumble, and also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown
- Also showed his offensive abilities when he took a shovel pass on a fake field goal attempt at Colorado, and scooted around left end 24 yards for a touchdown, making a nice move to evade a would-be tackler at the line of scrimmage
- Closed the season by notching a career-high nine tackles in the 2009 Texas Bowl against Navy
- Made five tackles against Illinois in game one of the year and picked up a sack for a loss of three yards
- Had four tackles, including a half sack against Bowling Green on Sept. 12
- Recorded his first career interception against Furman and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown
- Had one tackle in the win over Furman and recorded three tackles, all solo stops, against Nevada
- Had his first career fumble recovery against Colorado
- Had five tackles and recorded 1.5 TFLs against Baylor
- Made three tackles and forced a fumble against Kansas State on Nov. 14
- Had five tackles in the win over Kansas
- Won the starting job to begin the year after an impressive spring practice period that saw him named as the team’s most improved defensive lineman.
2008 SEASON
- Was impressive from virtually day one in fall camp, and didn’t take long to establish that he would see the field as a true freshman
- Ended up playing in all 14 games, and making one start, against Colorado
- Finished with a solid rookie campaign, recording 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, and adding two pass break ups and two quarterback hurries
- Closed the season in fine fashion, as he notched a career-best seven tackles in helping Mizzou to its thrilling overtime win against Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl
- After recording one tackle against Illinois, had consecutive six-tackle games against Southeast Missouri State and Nevada
- Made one tackle against Nebraska and had two stops against Oklahoma State
- Got free for his first collegiate sack against the Cowboys
- Made five tackles (four solos) against Texas
- Had six stops against Colorado, five of which were solo.
HIGH SCHOOL:
- Ranked by Rivals as the No. 26 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation
- ESPN.com ranked him as the nation’s No. 75 defensive end (either side) prospect
- Tabbed an All-Midlands Region defensive lineman by PrepStar Magazine
- High school coach – Chris Gilbert.
PERSONAL:
- Parents – Jimmy & Opal Smith
- Chose Mizzou over many other big-name schools, including Nebraska, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Colorado, Colorado State and Kentucky, among others
- Has worked in the past for the Dallas Morning News.
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