Kevin Smith

Kevin Ryan Smith (born December 17, 1986) is a former American football running back. He played college football for the University of Central Florida (UCF), and received consensus All-American honors. Smith was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and played for the Lions for five seasons. He is the current running backs coach at Ole Miss. Early years Smith attended Southridge High School in Miami, Florida. In football, he was a three-year letterman, a two-time All-Dade County selection as both a running back and a safety, and as a junior, rushed for 1,125 yards and 15 touchdowns. College career Smith attended the University of Central Florida, where he played for the UCF Knights football team from 2004 to 2007. He had a standout college career as a Knight, becoming UCF'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) to receive Heisman votes.