Troy Smith

primarytextdarkgoldenrod
secondarytextdarkgoldenrod
currentteamBaltimore Ravens
imageSmithhesiman2006.jpg
width=220
captionTroy Smith holding his 2006 Heisman trophy
currentnumber10
currentpositionQuarterback
birthdate
birthplaceCleveland, Ohio
heightft=6 heightin=0
weight225
debutyear2007
debutteamBaltimore
Ravens
highlights * [[College Football]] Player of the Year (2006) * [[Heisman Trophy]] (2006) * [[Fiesta Bowl]] MVP (2006) * [[Walter Camp Award]] (2006) * [[Davey O'Brien Award]] (2006) * [[Associated Press]] Player of the Year (2006) |college=[[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] |draftyear=2007 |draftround=5 |draftpick=174 |pastteams=
nflSMI764846
Troy Smith (born July 20, 1984 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a former starting dual-threat quarterback for the Ohio State University football team from 2004-2006, and the winner of the 2006 Heisman Trophy. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
 
He graduated from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio where he was coached by Ted Ginn, Sr., father of his Ohio State and high school teammate Ted Ginn, Jr. After a strong junior season at Glenville, Smith was invited to participate in the Elite 11 competition, which features the eleven top ranked high school quarterback prospects in the United States. Smith earned great praise following his performance, and although it was relatively late in the recruiting process, Ohio State offered Smith a football scholarship. He verbally committed to the Buckeyes, signing his letter of intent on February 6, 2002 as the last player to do so for the Buckeyes.

Early life :

Troy Smith's mother raised him and two siblings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then moved to Cleveland in 1987, without the support of his father. Smith first expressed interest in playing football in Cleveland, where he played for the Glenville A's midget football team, initially as running back and tight end. Irvin White, his coach, moved Smith to quarterback after a few games and Smith stayed in the position. In 1993, Smith was placed in foster care with Diane and Irvin White while his mother dealt with personal issues. {{cite news 
 | last = FordefirstPattitleSmith, mom to share heartwarming moment of triumphpublisherESPNdate2006-12-07url = http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?id2689611accessdate2007-08-07}}

High school career :

Smith played his first two years at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, but was thrown off the team after a disputed incident involving another student. He threw for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, leading Glenville to the state playoffs. Smith also played three years of basketball and ran track (high jump, long jump and 1,600-meter relay). West Virginia University had recruited Smith as well as Ohio State. Smith accepted the last scholarship of Ohio State's 2002 football recruiting class. {{cite news 
 | last = RalphfirstRussotitleHeisman win is emotional for Troy SmithpublisherAssociated Pressdate2006-12-10urlhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cfootball/2060AP_FBC_Heisman_Trophy.htmlaccessdate}}

College career :

As a redshirted freshman for the Buckeyes, Smith played sparingly at running back and kick returner in 2003. Smith played the season opener against Washington as a scatback and returner, and he compiled fourteen yards rushing and 83 return yards. After the game, he came on the NFL scouting radar as an "athlete".
 
He entered his season as the backup quarterback to Justin Zwick, but took over as the starter when Zwick was injured halfway through the 2004 season against Iowa. Smith won four of the five games he started in 2004, including a victory over the archrival Michigan Wolverines. Smith was suspended for breaking an undisclosed team rule before the Alamo Bowl, with Coach Tressel extending the suspension to include the first game of the 2005 season after it was revealed that Smith had accepted $500 from a booster.{{cite news 
 | last = MillerfirstRustytitleSmith Had Difficult Road to Ohio StatepublisherAssociated Pressdate2006-12-06urlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120601713_pf.htmlaccessdate2007-08-07}}
With Smith at QB, Ohio State lost only two games in the 2005 regular season, one as a starter. The first was to the eventual BCS National Champion Texas Longhorns (which he did not start) and the other was to the Penn State Nittany Lions, co-Big Ten champions. Smith's 2005 stats included 2,282 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. This led to a passer rating of 162.66, the fourth-highest of the season.{{cite web
 | title = 2005 NCAA Division I-A Passing LeaderspublisherESPNurl = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/sortables?year=2005&sort=rat&stat=pass&group80accessdate2006-12-11 }} He rushed for 611 yards and 11 touchdowns on 136 carries. In January 2006, he was named the Offensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, after leading the Buckeyes to a 34-20 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
In the second week of the 2006 season, Smith and the Buckeyes took revenge for their 2005 loss to Texas. The top ranked Buckeyes won their rematch with the (again) second-ranked Longhorns, 24-7. Smith went 17-27 with 269 yards passing, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. For many fans and analysts, Smith's performance against the Longhorns gave credibility to the preseason Heisman Trophy hype he'd received. His passing statistics improved during the 2006 season, completing 67% of his passes for 2,507 yards, with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. This led to a quarterback rating of 167.87, again fourth in the country.{{cite web|
 | title = 2006 NCAA Division I-A Passing LeaderspublisherESPNurl = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/sortables?year=2006&sort=rat&stat=pass&group80accessdate2006-12-11 }}
Smith was one of five finalists for the 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is given to the top senior college quarterback.{{cite press release
 | title = Smith One of Five Finalist for 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardpublisherOhio State University Department of Athleticsdate2006-11-02urlhttp://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110206aaa.htmlaccessdate2006-12-11}}
Teammates voted Smith the 2006 most valuable player.{{cite press release
 | title = Smith Named Buckeyes' Most Valuable PlayerpublisherOhio State University Department of Athleticsdate2006-11-03urlhttp://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120306aaa.htmlaccessdate}} On 2006-12-07 the Davey O'Brien Foundation awarded Smith the Davey O'Brien Award for best college quarterback. He defeated other finalists Colt Brennan of the University of Hawaii and Brady Quinn of the University of Notre Dame.{{cite press releasetitleOHIO STATE'S TROY SMITH WINS 2006 DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARDpublisherDavey OBrien Foundationdate2006-12-07urlhttp://www.daveyobrien.com/Pages/PressRelease-120806_Winner_Smith.htmaccessdate2006-12-11 }}
In three games against Michigan, Smith has a total of 1,151 yards of total offense, two rushing touchdowns, and seven passing touchdowns. The Buckeyes won all three games, making Smith the first Ohio State quarterback since Tippy Dye (1934-1936) to quarterback in three victories over Michigan, and the first to win three straight games against Michigan as a starter.{{cite news 
 | last = GordonfirstKencoauthorsMay, Tim, & Mitchell, ShawntitleDye, 91, watches Smith equal his trifecta over UMworkOSU NotebookpublisherColumbus Dispatchdate2006-11-19url = http://www.dispatch.com/football/football.php?storydispatch/2006/11/19/20061119-D9-01.htmlaccessdate2006-11-19}}
Smith's college football career came to an end on January 8, 2007, when he and the Ohio State Buckeyes were beaten by the Florida Gators in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, 41-14. Smith completed just four of 14 passes for 35 yards along with an interception, a fumble, and was sacked 5 times.

Heisman Trophy :

Smith won the 2006 Heisman Memorial Trophy on December 9, 2006. He beat out sophomore RB Darren McFadden (2nd) from Arkansas and QB Brady Quinn (3rd), senior quarterback from Notre Dame. Smith became the first true quarterback from the Big Ten to ever win the award. In winning the 2006 Heisman Trophy, Smith took 86.7% of the first place votes, which is a record. His tally of 2,540 votes was the third largest behind that of the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, Reggie Bush of the University of Southern California (2,541 votes) and 1968 winner O.J. Simpson also of USC (2,853 votes). His margin of victory (1,662 votes) was also the second largest in the history of the award, eclipsed only by O.J. Simpson who won by 1,750 votes. Troy Smith joined Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard "Hopalong" Cassady (1955), Archie Griffin (1974 and 1975) and Eddie George (1995) in the elite Buckeye fraternity.

Career statistics :

Passing :

Year Games Attempts Completions Comp % Yards TDs Interception QB Rating
2002 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 8 122 68 55.7% 896 8 3 134.15
2005 11 237 149 62.9% 2,282 16 4 162.66
2006 12 311 203 65.3% 2,542 30 6
Career 44 670 420 62.7% 5720 54 13 159.72

Rushing :

Year Games Rushes Yards Average Touchdowns
2002 2 0 0 0 0
2003 11 3 14 4.7 0
2004 9 82 339 4.1 2
2005 11 136 611 4.5 11
2006 12 62 233 3.8 1
Career 45 283 1,197 4.2 14

Total offense :

Year Games Plays Yards Average Touchdowns
2002 2 0 0 0 0
2003 11 3 14 4.7 0
2004 9 204 1,235 6.0 10
2005 11 373 2,893 7.6 27
2006 12 359 2,740 7.6 31
Career 45 939 7,992 7.33 68

College awards :

Pro career :

Smith declared for the 2007 NFL Draft. Despite winning the Heisman Trophy, Smith saw his draft stock drop considerably after the 41-14 loss to Florida in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. At 6'0", his height (considered smaller than ideal) was cited as a liability. The fact that he skipped the NFL Combine did not help.Smith will likely play waiting game Smith was quoted by the media urging his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns, to select him in the NFL Draft. Fans also set up a website (DraftTroy.com) urging the Browns to take Smith. However, the Browns drafted Brady Quinn 22nd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft reducing the chances of Smith going to Cleveland.http://www.nfl.com/Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith pushing Browns hard to draft him On Day 2, Smith was finally drafted at the end of the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens. He proceeded to sign a three-year contract with the Ravens on July 24, 2007. On August 27, 2007 Drew Olson was released by the Baltimore Ravens elevating Troy Smith to the third string quarterback position. Smith was named second-string quarterback for the Ravens on November 13, 2007, backing up new starter Kyle Boller after a shoulder injury to starter Steve McNair. Ravens head coach Brian Billick maintained that Smith could be used in the future. "That's going to be a fun challenge for Troy, because now he's been around enough," Billick said. "The focus and attention that he brings to preparing is heightened."Ravens switch quarterbacks
 
Smith got his first regular season playing time in the fourth quarter of the home game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 9, 2007, completing three of five pass attempts and scrambling 6 yards for his first NFL touchdown in the 44-20 loss. After his relative success against the Colts, many Baltimore Ravens fans were calling for Smith to replace Kyle Boller as the Ravens' starting quarterback. Troy Smith first played for the Ravens on December 9th, 2007 late in the forth quarter against the Indianapolis colts. Troy looked impressive on this drive, scoring for the Ravens with a 6 yard run. On December 16, 2007 Troy Smith came in for an injured Kyle Boller in the game against the Miami Dolphins. Smith led the Ravens down the field for a potential game winner but on fourth and 1, Billick chose to kick the field goal which forced overtime. The Ravens lost 22-16 in overtime, after a missed 44 yard field goal. On December 20, 2007, Kyle Boller officially was considered the backup for the Week 16 game, giving Troy Smith his first professional start against the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 17 the Ravens played the Steelers, and Troy Smith started again. He went 16-of-27 for 171 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions and no fumbles lost, and led the Ravens to their first win since October 14.

Career statistics :

Passing :

Year Games Attempts Completions Comp % Yards TDs Interception QB Rating
2007 4 76 40 52.6% 452 2 0 79.5
Career 4 76 40 52.6% 452 2 0 79.5

Rushing :

Year Games Rushes Yards Average Touchdowns
2007 4 12 54 4.5 1
Career 4 12 54 4.5 1

Total offense :

Year Games Plays Yards Average Touchdowns
2007 4 88 506 5.8 3
Career 4 88 506 5.8 3

Trivia :

  • Smith is cross dominant as he throws right-handed, but writes with his left.
  • In high school he was known as "Iron Arm" because of his muscular arms.
  • Smith runs a 4.74 40 yard dash.http://ohiostate.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=8&c=1&nid=5249
  • Smith joins the list of quarterback Heisman winners not taken in the first round. Eight of the last ten QBs to win the Heisman were selected later in the draft or not at all, the 2 exceptions being Matt Leinart (10th overall of 2006) and Carson Palmer (1st overall of 2003).
  • Smith was the 175th pick in the 2007 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. At 175th, he is one of the lowest Heisman Award winners to be drafted. Gino Torretta '92 (192), Ty Detmer '90 (230), Doug Flutie '84 (285), and Dick Kazmaier '51 (176) were all selected with lower picks.http://www.drafthistory.com/yearly_review.htmlFormer University of Oklahoma quarterback Jason White went undrafted after winning the Heisman Award in 2003. Florida State Quarterback Charlie Ward also went undrafted, but had previously indicated his likelihood of playing professional basketball. Army halfback Pete Dawkins did not enter the draft due to his military commitment.

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