Former University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football standout Teidrick Smith will get another shot at professional football after signing with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League. The Redblacks announced Smith’s signing on Tuesday (July 11th). Smith went through organized team activities with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL after signing a free-agent deal following rookie minicamp. He was released by the Rams in late June.
Smith, a senior defensive end from Hallettsville High School, earned National Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Cru to a 15-0 record and the NCAA Division III National Championship. He was named All-America by four different publications after recording 15.5 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss and 60 sacks on the season. Smith became the first player in ASC history to win league Defensive Player of the Year honors in three consecutive seasons and is the only player in conference history to win both Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in consecutive years. He was a four-time ASC All-Conference selection and played for four ASC Champions and four NCAA postseason qualifiers during his career. Smith finished his career as the ASC and UMHB career and single-season leader in sacks and tackles for loss and the Cru was 50-4 in his four seasons on the team. Smith was also voted ASC Male Athlete of the Year this summer.
Smith becomes the second UMHB football alum to sign with Ottawa. Offensive lineman Nate Menkin played for the Redblacks for one season. Ottawa is currently 0-2-1 on the season and returns to action this Friday against the Edmonton Eskimos
