Brad Smith (American football)


Bradley Alexander Smith is a former American football wide receiver and kickoff returner. He played college football at Missouri and was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.

College career

After being redshirted in 2001 he became the four-year starter for the Missouri Tigers. His sophomore year, he established himself as a quarterback in college football, becoming only the second player in Division 1-A football history to ever pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000. He received numerous national and Big 12 Conference freshman honors, leading the Tigers to a 5–7 record. His sophomore year, he led Missouri to an 8–5 record and their first bowl game since 1998. In 2004 the Tigers went a disappointing 5–6 after beginning the season ranked number 17 by the Associated Press. His senior year, he led the Tigers to a 7–5 record and his second Independence Bowl in three years and the first Missouri bowl victory in 7 years.
Smith was working on his graduate degree in Economics at Missouri upon being drafted. He received his business degree from Missouri in May 2005.
Smith has set numerous Missouri, Big 12, and Division 1-A records. In his junior season, he was considered a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate by many, but Missouri and Smith did not live up to expectations, achieving only a 5–6 record.
Smith excelled in the classroom and was named to the Big 12 All-Academic Team. He participated in the Mike Jones Football Clinic, Chancellor's Lunch, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Food Drive, Truman Club, and Athletes-in-Action, among others.

Accomplishments and honors

Smith holds school records for career rushing yards, career total yards, most points in a game and most touchdowns .

Professional career

2006 NFL Combine

New York Jets

Smith was the 103rd overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft. The New York Jets drafted Smith as a Wide Receiver/Running Back/Quarterback in the fourth round. He was signed by the New York Jets on July 21, 2006 as a Wide Receiver/Quarterback. In a preseason game in 2007, he was played at quarterback and rallied the Jets to 10 points and scrambled for the game-winning touchdown. He was then declared a "bona fide quarterback" by Jets coach Eric Mangini and was listed higher on the depth chart at quarterback than wide receiver. Through Week 5 of the 2007 season, the Jets used Smith in a variety of ways, lining him up at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. He was also a standout on special teams. Smith scored his first career receiving touchdown on October 7, 2007, against the New York Giants.
On December 16, 2007, Smith substituted for starter Kellen Clemens who was injured in a game against the New England Patriots. Smith would then alternate with former starter Chad Pennington for the rest of the game, running an option and also attempting a pass. He is also a winner of the Jets' 2007 Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award, which recognizes consistent willingness, cooperation and professionalism in everyday dealings with various departments in organization.
Smith was used in the Jets' wildcat formations. He had been injured throughout the beginning of the 2009 season, but emerged to become a leader of special teams, including being the starting kick returner. On December 13, 2009, Smith ran a fake punt play, in which he completed a pass to Eric Smith, having the longest completion of any team that day, the play went for 27 yards. On December 27, 2009, Smith returned the opening kickoff of the 2nd half for a 106-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. This is the longest play in New York Jets history, and tied for the second longest kickoff return in NFL history. In the last game of the 2009 regular season, Smith had 91 rushing yards, lining up at quarterback each time, having a 57-yard play, and scoring a 32-yard touchdown.
During the 2010 season, Smith was mostly used as a wildcat specialist and return specialist. One of Smith's best games was on Thanksgiving of November 25, 2010 where he scored a 53-yard touchdown on a wildcat end-around and an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown in a Jets 26–10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Buffalo Bills

Smith agreed to a four-year, $15 million contract with the Buffalo Bills on July 28, 2011. The Bills used him that season mostly out of wildcat formations, and they also used him as a wide receiver. During the 2012 season, Smith returned an 89-yard kick off for a touchdown in a loss vs. the Tennessee Titans.
On November 8, 2013, the Bills released Smith off of their injured-reserve list.

Philadelphia Eagles

Smith was signed by the Eagles on November 12, 2013.

Personal life

Smith and his wife Rosalynn have a son, Alex Smith and a daughter.