Brad Smith (American football)

Bradley "Brad" Alexander Smith (born December 12, 1983) is an American football quarterback, running back, wide receiver and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played college football at Missouri.

High school career
Smith is the son of Phillip and Sherri Smith. He attended Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio. He was a two-time all-state selection for football and twice was selected as the All-City Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for over 2,700 yards in his career and 34 TDs and was given the nickname "Ninja Fists" due to the unique way in which he released the ball. He also rushed for over 1,200 yards and 19 TDs. Brad also played basketball and was an all-city selection.

College career
After being redshirted in 2001 he became the four-year starter (never missing a start) 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 Mizzou 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 Mizzou bowl victory in 7 years.

Smith was working on his graduate degree in Economics at Mizzou upon being drafted. He received his business degree from Mizzou 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 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 has been 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

 * First player in division 1-A history to pass for 8,000 yards and run for 4,000 yards in career.
 * First player in division 1-A history to pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in a season twice in a career.
 * Second player in division 1-A history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 yards in a season.
 * Fourth player in division 1-A history to score 200 points and pass for 200 points in a career.
 * Sixth player in division 1-A history to pass for 200 yards and rush for 200 yards in a single game (vs. Nebraska on October 22, 2005).
 * Most rushing yards in division 1-A history by a freshman quarterback.
 * Holds school record for:
 * Career rushing yards.
 * Career total yards.
 * Most points in a game (30) and most touchdowns (5) (vs. Texas Tech on October 25, 2003).
 * Holds 68 different MU, Big 12 and NCAA game, season and career records (as of 12/2005).
 * 2006 Independence Bowl MVP.
 * 2006 Hula Bowl MVP.
 * 2002 1st-Team Freshman All-American by FWAA, The Sporting News, College Football News, and Rivals.com.
 * 2002 Honorable Mention All-American by CNNSI.com, College Football News.
 * 2002 and 2003 honorable mention All-Big 12 by AP.
 * 2002 and 2004 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 by Coaches.
 * 2003 4th-Team All-American by College Sports Report.
 * 2003 3rd-Team All-Big 12 by Coaches.
 * 2005 Draddy Trophy Finalist.
 * 2005 Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
 * 2005 Davey O'Brien Award Semi-Finalist.
 * 2010 Pudding Pie Award.

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 (quad) 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.

Aside from being a versatile offensive threat, and an explosive return man, Smith has also excelled on the Jets special teams coverage unit recording 60 special teams tackles in 76 career games with the New York Jets (As of the end of the 2010 Season)

Buffalo Bills
Smith agreed to a four-year, $15 million contract with the Buffalo Bills on July 28, 2011. The Bills have used him this season mostly out of wildcat formations, and they have also used him as a wide receiver.

Measurables

 * 4.46 40 Yard Dash.
 * 39½ Inch Vertical.
 * 7.01 Three-Cone Drill.
 * 4.33 Short Shuttle.
 * 10-foot-8 Broad Jump.

Personal
Smith is married to Rosalynn Monique Smith. In July 2010, the couple welcomed their first child, Bradley Alexander Jr.