Frederick R. Smalls (born January 7, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), Arena Football League (AFL), and German Football League (GFL).
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| Position: | Fullback / Linebacker | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | January 17, 1963 Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Beaufort (SC) Battery Creek | ||||||||||||
| College: | West Virginia | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1986 / round: 7 / pick: 182 | ||||||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
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Smalls was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina and played scholastically at Battery Creek High School.[1]
College career
editSmalls enrolled at West Virginia University in 1982. In his freshman season, he recorded six tackles, a fumble recovery. In, 1983 as a sophomore, he recorded 13 tackles and a pass break-up as a backup.
In 1984, as a junior, Smalls earned the starting position. That season, he recorded 87 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two sacks. He was named to the NEA All-America team.[2] As a senior, in 1985, Smalls totaled 97 tackles, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three sacks. He was also named to the AP All-East team.[3][4]
Professional career
editNational Football League
editSmalls was selected in the seventh round, 182nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1986 NFL draft.[5][6] However, he was cut in August 1986.[7]
In 1987, he joined the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[8] Also in 1987, he played three games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987. In 1988, he spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during training camp before retiring in July.[9][10]
Arena Football League
editIn 1990, Smalls joined the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). He only spent a short part of 1990 with the Gladiators, recording five tackles. He then moved to the Washington Commandos, where he played fullback along with linebacker. He finished the season with 18 tackles and a sack on defense with the Commandos and three receptions for 25 yards and 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown on offense. In 1991, Smalls joined the Albany Firebirds. That season, he recorded four tackles and a sack.
German Football League
editSmalls then played for the Cologne Crocodiles in the German Football League until 1994.
References
edit- ^ "Fred Smalls Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (November 20, 1984). "USC's Seawright named to NEA All-America team". The Index-Journal. NEA. p. 11. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Top-ranked Nittany Lions dominate AP's All-East team". The Index-Journal. AP. December 17, 1985. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All-East team". The Salina Journal. AP. December 17, 1985. p. 14. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Football: NFL Draft". The Salina Journal. April 30, 1986. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Monday's Sports Transactions". The San Bernardino County Sun. August 19, 1986. p. 34. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Transactions". The San Bernardino County Sun. June 27, 1988. p. 33. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Transactions". Galveston Daily News. July 14, 1988. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Transactions". The Salina Journal. July 14, 1988. p. 14. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
