Rod Smith (running back)

Smith attended Paul Harding High School, where he received All-state and player of the year honors as a senior.{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Glenn |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Harding grad Rod Smith’s journey to NFL filled with highlights and heartbreak |url=https://www.wane.com/news/harding-grad-rod-smiths-journey-to-nfl-filled-with-highlights-and-heartbreak/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=WANE 15 |language=en-US}} He graduated after rushing 1,000 times for a SAC conference career rushing record of 6,625 yards and 66 touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2017 |title=The 'surreal' path brothers Jaylon, Rod Smith took to the Cowboys to play together for the first time |language=en |work=SportsDay |url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/12/10/surreal-path-brothers-jaylon-rod-smith-took-cowboys-play-together-first-time |access-date=March 14, 2018}}

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.

Smith accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University as a highly rated recruit.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/rod-smith-5.html |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} 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 two 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.{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Austin |date=October 27, 2014 |title=Report: Ohio St. axes RB Smith for failed test |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11776801/rod-smith-ohio-state-buckeyes-dismissed-failed-drug-test |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Bill |date=October 28, 2014 |title=Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer confirms RB Rod Smith's dismissal from team |url=http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/10/ohio_state_football_rod_smith.html |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=cleveland.com}} He finished his college career with 549 rushing yards on 107 carries with ten touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith Career Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/rod-smith-5/gamelog/ |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

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| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=112402&DraftYear=2015 |title=Rod Smith, Ohio State, RB, 2015 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=January 20, 2022}}

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Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 NFL draft on May 2.{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Bill |date=May 6, 2015 |title=Rod Smith, dismissed from Ohio State football team in October, signs undrafted free agent deal with Seattle Seahawks |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2015/05/rod_smith_ohio_state_dismissed.html |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=cleveland.com |language=en}} 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 five yards on two carries.{{Cite web |last=Condotta |first=Bob |date=October 10, 2015 |title=Seattle Seahawks promote RB Rod Smith to 53-man roster, place CB Tharold Simon on IR |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seattle-seahawks-promote-rb-rod-smith-to-53-man-roster-place-cb-tharold-simon-on-ir/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Seattle times}}{{Cite web |last=Condotta |first=Bob |date=October 13, 2015 |title=Seattle Seahawks release WR B.J. Daniels, RB Rod Smith |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seattle-seahawks-release-b-j-daniels-rod-smith-add-cb-crezdon-butler/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Seattle Times}} He was released on October 13.{{Cite web |last=Talbot |first=Damond |date=October 14, 2015 |title=Seahawks release WR B.J. Daniels and RB Rod Smith |url=https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2015/10/seahawks-release-wr-b-j-daniels-and-rb-rod-smith/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=NFL Draft Diamonds |language=en}}

On October 14, 2015, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Rainer |date=October 14, 2015 |title=Cowboys claim Seattle RB Rod Smith off waivers |url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2015/10/14/cowboys-claim-seattle-rb-rod-smith-waivers |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=The Dallas Morning News}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo06/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In 2016, Smith 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. Smith was re-signed to the practice squad two days later.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Rob |date=November 3, 2016 |title=Cowboys Waive Fullback Rod Smith, Create Open Roster Spot |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-waive-fullback-rod-smith-create-open-roster-spot-418876 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=DallasCowboys.com}}{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=November 5, 2016 |title=Cowboys Sign FB Rod Smith To Practice Squad |url=http://nfltraderumors.co/cowboys-sign-fb-rod-smith-practice-squad/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co}} At the time, he was tied for second on the team with four special teams tackles.

File:Rod Smith (running back).JPG

Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 16, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Eatman, Nick |date=January 16, 2017 |title=Showers, Rod Smith Among 12 Players Signed To Cowboys Offseason Roster |url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/01/16/showers-rod-smith-among-12-players-signed-cowboys-offseason-roster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018164505/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/01/16/showers-rod-smith-among-12-players-signed-cowboys-offseason-roster |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |website=DallasCowboys.com}} In 2017, he returned to running back behind Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden. During the 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 carries with the Cowboys, which went for eight yards during a 42–17 defeat.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos - September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170den.htm |access-date=October 14, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

When Elliott was suspended for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Smith ended up earning more playing time behind Alfred Morris. On Thanksgiving Day against the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith scored his first professional touchdown on a 2-yard rush. He finished the game with 41 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and seven receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys - November 23rd, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711230dal.htm |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During Week 13 against the Washington Redskins, Smith ran for 27 yards and a touchdown as the Cowboys won by a score of 38–14.{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys - November 30th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711300dal.htm |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In the next game against the New York Giants, Smith had 47 rushing yards and a touchdown along with 113 receiving yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception, helping secure a 30–10 win.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - December 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712100nyg.htm |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders, Smith rushed for 13 yards and a touchdown as the Cowboys narrowly won by a score of 20–17.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders - December 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712170rai.htm |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

When Elliott returned from his suspension in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, Smith's productivity dropped since he only rushed for 10 yards in that game.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys - December 24th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712240dal.htm |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was declared inactive for the last game against the Philadelphia Eagles, after battling an illness and a sore back. Smith finished the season with 55 carries for 232 yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions, 202 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown and 5 special teams tackles (tied for fifth on the team).{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo06/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Smith wasn't a factor on offense as the backup running back, but maintained his role as a core special teams player. His most action on offense came in the season finale against the New York Giants, registering 12 carries for 35 yards and one touchdown, when starter Ezekiel Elliott sat out to rest for the playoffs. His numbers decreased from the previous season to 44 carries for 127 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo06/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was second on the team with 10 special teams tackles.

On May 8, 2019, Smith signed with the New York Giants.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=May 8, 2019 |title=Giants sign former Cowboys RB Rod Smith |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-former-cowboys-rb-rod-smith |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Giants.com}} He was placed on injured reserve with an adductor injury on August 31, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 31, 2019 |title=New York Giants announce 53-man roster |url=https://www.giants.com/news/new-york-giants-announce-53-man-roster-x1935 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Giants.com}} He was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 10.{{Cite web |last=Fennelly |first=John |date=September 11, 2019 |title=Giants waive Rod Smith, two others with injury settlements |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/11/new-york-giants-waive-rod-smith-two-others-with-injury-settlements/ |access-date=September 12, 2019 |website=Giants Wire|publisher=USA Today}}

On October 8, 2019, Smith signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Titans Add K Cody Parkey and Two RBs – Rod Smith and Dalyn Dawkins – During a Flurry of Roster Moves |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-add-k-cody-parkey-and-two-rbs-rod-smith-and-dalyn-dawkins-during-a-flurry |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He appeared in 3 games and was declared inactive in 2 contests, playing only on special teams and had one tackle. He was released on November 12.

On December 10, 2019, Smith was signed by the Oakland Raiders, reuniting with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who served in the same role with the Cowboys.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Raiders announce transactions - 12.10.19 |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-announce-transactions-12-10-19 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}} He appeared in three games, playing on special teams. He had three solo tackles.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo06/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

On March 25, 2020, Smith was re-signed to a one-year contract.{{Cite web |last=Mosher |first=Marcus |date=March 21, 2020 |title=Raiders re-sign RB/FB Rod Smith to one-year deal |url=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/21/raiders-re-sign-rb-fb-rod-smith-on-one-year-deal/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Raiders Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 6, 2020.{{Cite news |last=Dubow, Josh |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Raiders unable to utilize all their new digs in Las Vegas |work=Fox5Vegas.com |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/coronavirus/raiders-unable-to-utilize-all-their-new-digs-in-las-vegas/article_7bea18a7-d404-5f52-b887-cfc7c18c0a4a.html |access-date=August 10, 2020}} He was activated from the list on August 18.{{Cite tweet |number=1295823555809009665 |user=Raiders |title=We have activated RB Rod Smith from the Reserve/COVID list and have waived DB Ken Crawley. |date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2020}} He was released on September 1, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=September 1, 2020 |title=Raiders part ways with five players, including Jordan Devey and Rod Smith |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/09/01/raiders-part-ways-with-five-players-including-jordan-devey-and-rod-smith/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}

On September 8, 2020, Smith was signed to the New York Giants practice squad, reuniting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was his head coach with the Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Ed |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Giants roster moves: DB Ryan Lewis, RB Rod Smith added to practice squad |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/8/21428313/giants-roster-moves-db-ryan-lewis-rb-rod-smith-added-to-practice-squad |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Big Blue View |publisher=SB Nation}} On September 29, 2020, Smith was released from the Giants practice squad, to make room for another former Cowboys running back (Alfred Morris).{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2020 |title=RB Alfred Morris and QB Clayton Thorson added to practice squad; DB Madre Harper intends to sign Thursday |url=https://www.giants.com/news/madre-harper-alfred-morris-clayton-thorson-practice-squad |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Giants.com}}

On August 5, 2021, Smith was signed by the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Panthers sign running back Rod Smith |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-sign-running-back-rod-smith |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=Panthers.com |language=en-US}} He was released on August 17, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Gantt, Darin |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Panthers put Troy Pride Jr. on IR, trade Greg Little |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-put-troy-pride-jr-on-ir-trade-greg-little |website=Panthers.com |access-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818010903/https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-put-troy-pride-jr-on-ir-trade-greg-little |url-status=dead }}

Smith was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the 9th round of the Phase 6 of the 2023 XFL Draft.{{Cite web |title=Draft Central |url=https://www.xfl.com/articles/draft-central |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=XFL.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Rod Smith XFL Stats, News, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://xflnewshub.com/player/rod-smith/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=XFL News Hub |language=en-us}} He reunited with head coach Rod Woodson, after Smith grew up attending Woodson's annual summer camps as a youth. He appeared in nine games, posting 70 carries for 274 yards (led the team), two rushing touchdowns, 13 receptions for 116 yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Rod Smith |url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/rod-smith-smithro16 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Football Database}} The Vipers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}

Smith's younger brother, Jaylon, was a Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL and a consensus All-American in college.{{Cite web |last=Haynie |first=Jess |date=May 9, 2019 |title=RB Rod Smith Signs with Giants; Brother Jaylon Sends Farewell Message ✭ Inside The Star |url=https://insidethestar.com/rb-rod-smith-signs-with-giants-brother-jaylon-sends-farewell-message/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Inside The Star |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Brad |date=December 10, 2017 |title=The 'surreal' path brothers Jaylon, Rod Smith took to the Cowboys to play together for the first time |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2017/12/10/the-surreal-path-brothers-jaylon-rod-smith-took-to-the-cowboys-to-play-together-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Fort Wayne, Indiana

Category:American football running backs

Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players

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Category:Dallas Cowboys players

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