Troy Smith
Troy Smith (born July 20, 1984) is an American former professional football quarterback.[1] He achieved prominence in college football as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he compiled a 25-3 record as a starter and went 3-0 against rival Michigan.[2] In 2006, Smith won the Heisman Trophy in a landslide victory, earning 91.6% of first-place votes and becoming Ohio State's seventh recipient of the award, while also being named a consensus All-American.[3] Selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round (174th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft, he appeared in 35 games over five professional seasons with the Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers, completing 170 of 282 passes for 1,734 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions.[4][5]
Early Life
Upbringing and Family Background
Troy Smith was born on July 20, 1984, in Columbus, Ohio, to Tracy Smith and Kenneth Smith.[3] His biological father left the family when Troy was a toddler, leaving Tracy to raise Troy and his older sister, Brittany, as a single mother amid financial hardships and personal struggles.[6][7] The family relocated to Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood, where Smith spent much of his childhood in a challenging urban environment marked by limited resources and instability.[3] Between the ages of 9 and 14—roughly 1993 to 1998—Smith and his sister entered the Ohio foster care system after Tracy temporarily relinquished custody to address her circumstances, resulting in placements across at least eight homes.[6] In 1993, Smith was placed with Irvin White, a coach, and his wife Diane, who became certified foster parents and provided him a stable home for nearly four years; Brittany remained with relatives during this period.[7] The Whites' household included foster brother Rod Smith, a former Ohio State player, exposing young Troy to football influences early on.[8] Smith reunited with his mother Tracy around age 14, returning to her care in Cleveland as she stabilized her life.[9] Ted Ginn Sr., head coach at Glenville High School, emerged as a significant father figure, mentoring Smith through adolescence and channeling his energy into football amid ongoing family dynamics.[10] This period of upheaval forged Smith's resilience, though he has publicly credited both his biological mother and surrogate family figures for shaping his path.[7]High School Career
Smith began his high school football career at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, playing his freshman and sophomore seasons there before transferring to Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, for his junior and senior years.[3][1] During his senior year in 2001 at Glenville, Smith completed passes for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns, contributing to the team's advancement to the Ohio state playoffs.[3] His relatively modest statistical output that season, despite the touchdowns, resulted in limited attention from major college programs, leading recruiters to classify him primarily as an "athlete" rather than a pure quarterback prospect.[11] In addition to football, Smith participated in basketball during high school, showcasing his multi-sport athleticism.[3] This background at Glenville, a program known for producing talent in Cleveland's urban environment, ultimately paved the way for his scholarship offer from Ohio State University.[3]College Career
Early College Years at Ohio State
Smith enrolled at Ohio State University in the fall of 2002, redshirting his freshman season to preserve a year of eligibility while developing behind established quarterbacks on the depth chart.[2] This decision allowed him to adapt to college-level practices without immediate game exposure during the Buckeyes' national championship campaign that year.[3] In 2003, as a redshirt freshman, Smith appeared in 10 games primarily in multi-purpose roles, including as a running back and kick returner, where he recorded 14 rushing yards on limited carries and 83 yards on kickoff returns.[3] His contributions were modest, reflecting his position as a developmental player behind starter Craig Krenzel, but they marked his initial on-field involvement with the team.[2] Transitioning to quarterback in 2004 as a sophomore, Smith served as a backup to Justin Zwick, appearing in 8 games and completing 68 of 122 passes for 896 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, achieving a 112.0 passer rating.[12] He also added mobility to the offense, rushing for notable yardage in key matchups, including 145 yards against Michigan in a victory that highlighted his dual-threat potential.[13] Smith earned his first career start on October 23, 2004, against Indiana, signaling his emergence as a viable option amid inconsistencies at the position. These early experiences laid the groundwork for greater responsibilities in subsequent seasons, though he split time with Zwick throughout the year.[12]Rise to Prominence and Heisman Campaign
Smith assumed the role of starting quarterback for Ohio State in 2005 after an early-season suspension for accepting impermissible benefits from a booster, returning to lead the Buckeyes to a 10-2 regular season record.[14][13] His performance included 2,282 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, contributing to victories such as a 25-21 comeback win over Michigan on November 19, where he engineered a crucial late-game drive.[14][15] Ohio State capped the year with a 34-20 triumph over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2006.[2] Entering the 2006 season as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner, Smith guided the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes to a perfect 12-0 regular season mark, amassing 2,542 passing yards and a school-record 30 touchdowns with five interceptions.[14][12] Standout games bolstered his candidacy, including a 24-7 road victory against No. 2 Texas on September 9, during which he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns without an interception while directing key scoring drives.[16] His campaign reached its zenith in a 42-39 defeat of No. 2 Michigan on November 18, a high-scoring affair that showcased his leadership and poise under pressure.[17] Smith clinched the Heisman Trophy on December 9, 2006, securing the award in a landslide with the second-largest margin of victory in its history, recognizing his role in Ohio State's undefeated regular season and national dominance.[3][18] Despite the Buckeyes' No. 1 ranking entering the postseason, they fell 41-14 to Florida in the BCS National Championship Game on January 8, 2007, where Smith completed just 4 of 14 passes for 35 yards amid heavy pressure.[12]Heisman Trophy and National Recognition
In 2006, Troy Smith won the Heisman Memorial Trophy on December 9, recognizing him as the outstanding college football player in the nation, becoming the seventh Buckeye to receive the award.[18] [3] He secured the victory as a runaway favorite, earning 801 first-place votes from 926 voters.[19] Smith's Heisman campaign highlighted his leadership of Ohio State to a perfect 12–0 regular season, including a 42–39 victory over then-No. 1 Michigan on November 18 that clinched the Big Ten title and propelled him to the forefront of national discussions.[18] Beyond the Heisman, Smith garnered multiple national honors that December, underscoring his dominance as a senior quarterback. On December 7, he was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year.[20] The following day, December 8, he received the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, edging out Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.[21] On December 12, Sporting News selected him as its College Football Player of the Year.[22] These accolades, combined with unanimous consensus All-American status, affirmed his status as the premier player in major college football that season.[12] Smith's national profile peaked despite Ohio State's 41–14 loss to Florida in the BCS National Championship Game on January 8, 2007, where his individual performance could not overcome the Gators' defense.[3] Over his starting career at Ohio State, he compiled a 25–3 record, including a 3–0 mark against Michigan.[2]College Statistics and Awards
Troy Smith participated in 43 games for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2003 to 2006, compiling 5,720 passing yards, 54 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, alongside 1,168 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.[12] His dual-threat ability contributed to a 25-3 record in starts, including undefeated regular seasons in 2005 and 2006.[2]| Year | Games Played | Passing Comp/Att | Passing Yds | Passing TD/INT | Pass Rating | Rushing Car/Yds | Rushing TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 | 0/0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0.0 | 3/14 | 0 |
| 2004 | 8 | 68/122 | 896 | 8/3 | 134.2 | 82/339 | 2 |
| 2005 | 11 | 149/237 | 2,282 | 16/4 | 162.7 | 136/611 | 11 |
| 2006 | 13 | 203/311 | 2,542 | 30/6 | 161.9 | 72/204 | 1 |
| Career | 43 | 420/670 | 5,720 | 54/13 | 156.9 | 293/1,168 | 14 |
Professional Career
NFL Draft and Baltimore Ravens Tenure
Smith was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round, 174th overall, of the 2007 NFL Draft.[1] [23] On July 24, 2007, he signed a three-year rookie contract worth $1.22 million, including a $105,000 signing bonus.[24] [25] Initially positioned as the third-string quarterback behind Kyle Boller and Steve McNair, Smith made the Ravens' final 53-man roster on September 1, 2007.[26] In the 2007 season, injuries to Boller and McNair elevated Smith to the starting role for two games, where he compiled a 1-1 record.[1] He appeared in four games total, completing 40 of 76 passes for 452 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while rushing for 54 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.[1]| Year | Games Played | Games Started | Passing Completions/Attempts | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Passing INTs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 | 2 | 40/76 | 452 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | 3/4 | 82 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | 5/9 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 1 |
San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers Stints
Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers on September 6, 2010, agreeing to a one-year contract after being released by the Baltimore Ravens earlier that year.[29] Injuries to starting quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill elevated him to the starting role midway through the season, where he started the final six games, posting a 3-3 record.[30] In 10 appearances (six starts) that year, Smith completed 165 of 255 passes for 1,541 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 85.9; he also rushed 22 times for 86 yards and one touchdown.[1] His performance contributed to the 49ers winning five of their last 11 games after an 0-5 start, though the team released him at the end of the season.[5] Following a stint in the United Football League with the Omaha Nighthawks in 2011, Smith signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 20, 2012.[31] He participated in organized team activities and minicamps but did not appear in any preseason or regular-season games.[32] The Steelers released him on June 25, 2012, prior to training camp.[31]Post-NFL Leagues: CFL and UFL
Following his release from the San Francisco 49ers after the 2010 season, Smith signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League on September 6, 2011.[33] He appeared in the team's final regular-season game that year, starting at quarterback as the Nighthawks concluded their campaign.[34] In 2013, Smith joined the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, signing a two-year contract on August 14.[35] He started the final three regular-season games and the East Division semifinal playoff game, contributing to a first-year performance of 884 passing yards and nine touchdowns.[36] Smith returned for the 2014 season, starting the Alouettes' first six games before being placed on the six-game injured list.[37] In those appearances, he completed 83 of 174 passes for 989 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.[38] Over his full CFL tenure with Montreal, spanning 2013–2014, Smith completed 143 of 288 passes for 1,873 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.[39] The Alouettes released him on October 16, 2014.[40]Career Performance and Statistics
NFL Statistics
Smith appeared in 20 NFL regular-season games over four seasons, starting eight, with the majority of his action as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens from 2007 to 2009 and as a starter for the San Francisco 49ers in 2010. His career passer rating stood at 76.2, reflecting modest efficiency in limited opportunities.Regular Season Passing
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | BAL | 4 | 2 | 40 | 76 | 452 | 2 | 0 | 79.5 |
| 2008 | BAL | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 82 | 1 | 0 | 156.2 |
| 2009 | BAL | 4 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 21.3 |
| 2010 | SFO | 6 | 6 | 73 | 145 | 1,176 | 5 | 4 | 77.8 |
| Career | 20 | 8 | 121 | 234 | 1,734 | 8 | 5 | 76.2 |
Regular Season Rushing
| Year | Team | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | BAL | 12 | 54 | 1 | 4.5 |
| 2008 | BAL | 9 | 24 | 0 | 2.7 |
| 2009 | BAL | 8 | 31 | 1 | 3.9 |
| 2010 | SFO | 23 | 121 | 1 | 5.3 |
| Career | 52 | 230 | 3 | 4.4 |
CFL and UFL Statistics
Smith appeared for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.[33] Over these two years, he completed 143 of 288 pass attempts for 1,873 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.[33]| Year | Team | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Montreal Alouettes | 60 | 114 | 884 | 9 | 5 |
| 2014 | Montreal Alouettes | 83 | 174 | 989 | 4 | 4 |
| Career CFL | 143 | 288 | 1,873 | 13 | 9 |