Palmetto's Chris Smith signs with St. Louis Rams

Never Give Up. Don’t ever give up.

No words ring more true for defensive back Chris Smith, whose life has taken a 360 degree turn in the last week.

The Palmetto High product signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday and is at their facility waiting for training camp to open on Saturday.

Last week Smith came home from Omaha, Nebraska after the United Football League closed operations. He was with the Omaha Nighthawks and figured big in their plans to play cornerback and return kicks.

Less than a week later, Smith got a call from the Rams, offering him a free agent contract and invited him to their camp. It was a surprise because the two teams that previously showed him the most interest were the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets.

“My agent had never heard anything from St. Louis. I wasn’t expecting an offer from them,” Smith said. “But now that I am here I want to take advantage of this opportunity and do my best to earn a spot on the team. We will see what happens.”

UFL shutdown sends Chris Smith home, but could lead to NFL

Its’ been a whirlwind kind of week for Chris Smith.

The Palmetto High graduate arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, last Wednesday to begin training camp for the United Football League Nighthawks.

Today he is heading home. Oh no. He didn’t get cut. In fact the Nighthawks are counting heavily on the defensive back, who finished up his career at Northern Illinois last season earning first team Mid-American Conference honors.

All five of the league teams were ordered to shut down camps until August and delay the season opener until September.

“I got here a week ago and have basically been going to meetings and going over the playbook,” Smith said. “They told us yesterday (Tuesday) that they were closing down camp and now I am just waiting for a plane ticket home. We’ve heard the camp opening is going to be delayed about a month.”

Though he wants to play football, the delay could bring some good fortune to Smith. He is hoping it will open some doors to some NFL teams.

“My agent told me that some teams called about me, mainly the Rams and the 49ers. I don’t know if this will turn out to be a better opportunity. We will see,” Smith said.

The move to close camps was made for various reasons, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said. The UFL wants to improve its financial situation and accommodate some UFL players who want to give the NFL a chance now that the lockout appears to be close to ending.

Former Southeast/Palmetto players join forces in UFL

When Chris Smith suits up for the Omaha Nighthawks this season he will be united with another Manatee County product, Julius Wilson from Southeast.

Smith, an under-heralded, under-sized cornerback when he finished his career at Palmetto in 2004, has turned himself into one of the best feel good stories of the year. Click here to read.

He recently signed a contract with Omaha and reports to the United Football League team for beginning of training camp on July 12^th. He was drafted in the fourth round and 17^th overall in the five team league.

However, Smith is keeping his options and is not opposed to getting into an NFL camp when the lockout ends. The Denver Broncos have showed the most interest in him, but others are keeping an eye on the first team 2010 Mid-American Conference selection.

Wilson, currently playing with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, played with Omaha last season and plans to return. The offensive linemen, who played at Alabama-Birmingham, spent some time previously with the Miami Dolphins practice squad.

There are some big names (or should we say former big names) on the Nighthawks roster including running back Maurice Clarett, the leading rusher on Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team and quarterback Eric Crouch, who won the Heisman Trophy at Nebraska in 2001.

Palmetto's Chris Smith hopes to land with NFL team

Chris Smith has come a long way since his high school days at Palmetto, earning a scholarship to Northern Illinois after going the junior college route.

Now the 5-10, 186 pound defensive back hopes to take another leap and make to the NFL.
Smith is trying to become another Manatee County standout who made his way into the NFL as a cornerback joining Mike Jenkins (Southeast), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Lakewood Ranch) and Fabian Washington (Bayshore).

NFL Draft Scout says if Smith makes it into an NFL camp he will likely go as a free agent. The organization rates him 51st out of more than 200 cornerbacks eligible for this year’s draft; if there is one pending the outcome of negotiations between the players association and owners.

Smith was selected to the 2010 All Mid-American Conference First Team Defense and was named NIU’s Defensive Back of the Year. He had a team high nine pass break-ups, which was third in the league and picked off three passes.

Smith played at Highland Community College where he was ranked the 49th best JUCO prospect in the country. One scouting report lists him as a strong tackler who has the talent to make an NFL team. NFL Draft Scout puts his 40-yard dash time around the 4.53 second mark.