Yawin Smallwood
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Yawin Smallwood
| image = Yawin Smallwood 2014.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Smallwood with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014
| number = 54
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|12|25}}
| birth_place = Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 246
| high_school = Doherty Memorial
(Worcester, Massachusetts)
| college = UConn
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 253
| pastteams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2014}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})*
| highlights =
|pfr=SmalYa00
}}
Yawin Alexander Smallwood (born December 25, 1991) is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at University of Connecticut. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Early life
Smallwood attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts. He recorded 71 tackles as a senior in 2009 with five sacks, rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns and also passed for 126 yards. As a junior, playing as a quarterback, he passed for 726 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 724 yards and six touchdowns. He was a three-time Division I all-star and two-time Division I Defensive MVP. ( HE WAS HIM )
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 4th best prospect in the state of Massachusetts.{{Cite web |title=Yawin Smallwood |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Yawin-Smallwood-92729 |website=Rivals.com |access-date=May 10, 2014}} He accepted a scholarship from Connecticut.
College career
After redshirting in 2010, he enjoyed a terrific first year of playing collegiate football in 2011 by starting all 12 games at middle linebacker. He was the second-leading tackler on the team with 94 stops, just three off the team lead, and also had 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a 28-yard interception returned for a TD. As a redshirt sophomore, he was a first team All-Big East selection in 2012 and led the Huskies in tackles with 120 and was second in tackles for a loss with 15 and also had four sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2013, he led the team in tackles with 118, was second in tackles for loss with 9.5, he also had four sacks and had a 59-yard interception return TD against Temple, and was named first-team All-AAC.
On December 7, 2013, Smallwood announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite news |last=Silver |first=John F. |date=May 10, 2014 |title=Smallwood to enter NFL Draft |work=snyuconn.com |url=http://snyuconn.com/uconn/football/smallwood-to-enter-nfl-draft/ |access-date=May 10, 2014}}
Professional career
He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite news |last=Connor |first=Desmond |date=May 10, 2014 |title=UConn's Shamar Stephen, Yawin Smallwood Picked In Seventh Round |work=Hartford Courant |url=http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-uconn-nfl-draft-0511-20140510,0,2692541.story |access-date=May 10, 2014}} The Falcons waived Smallwood on August 29, 2014.{{cite web | title=Falcons Make Initial Wave of Final Cuts | website=Atlanta Falcons | date=2014-08-29 | url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-make-initial-wave-of-final-cuts-13597647 | access-date=2024-12-26}} On November 20, 2014, Smallwood was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{Cite web |title=Titans Promote LB Justin Staples to Active Roster; Sign LB Yawin Smallwood to Practice Squad |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-1/Titans-Promote-LB-Justin-Staples-to-Active-Roster-Sign-LB-Yawin-Smallwood-to-Practice-Squad/da99d00b-4c4c-486c-8314-8edb39103a24 |date=November 20, 2014 |website=www.titansonline.com |publisher=Titans Online |location=Nashville, TN |access-date=July 21, 2017}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/yawin_smallwood_714686.html Connecticut profile]
{{Atlanta Falcons 2014 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smallwood, Yawin}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:UConn Huskies football players
Category:Players of American football from Worcester, Massachusetts