Football's James Smith Signs Free Agent Contract With Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, May 4, 2009 | Football
Just a week after former Gators Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and Cornelius Ingram were selected in the 2009 National Football League Draft, the reigning National Champion Florida Gators are supplying even more talent to the NFL. Former Gator long snapper James Smith earned a free agent try-out with the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and after attending the Bengals' rookie minicamp, Smith signed a free agent contract with the squad Sunday.
While at Florida, Smith saw action in 53 games, tied for the most-ever by a player in program history. He was named a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, also known as the “academic Heisman.” Smith served as the long snapper on all field-goal attempts and punts, while also playing a key role on the kickoff coverage unit.
A team captain during Florida's 2008 FedEx BCS National Championship title run, Smith's special teams play earned him recognition Nov. 15, 2008, against SEC opponent South Carolina. Smith recovered a fumble on an errant throwback attempt after a Florida kickoff against the Gamecocks, taking the Gators to the one-yard line and setting up a score that would put the Orange and Blue up 21-0 in just the first quarter.
Smith earned his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Florida in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, graduating Cum Laude with a 3.5 GPA, and is currently pursuing his master's degree in Entrepreneurship.
-UF-
