National Football Foundation

1A four-year starter at safety for New Mexico, Chad Smith led the Lobos to a 9-4 record in 1997, their finest finish since 1982. The team leader in punt returns in 1996 (14), 1997 (42) and 1998 (23), he holds the school record for career punt returns (82) and punt return yards (666). In 1996, Smith earned WAC Player of the Week honors after accumulating a school-record 142 punt return yards in a 44-17 win over UTEP. A two-time Academic All-American and three-time Academic All-WAC selection, he compiled a 3.9 GPA in biology and worked as a lab assistant in two hospitals. Smith made over two dozen visits to elementary schools and youth organizations and served as a student senator in the Associated Students Committee. He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Presidential Appointments Committee and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.