NFF National Scholar-Athletes
A four-year letterman at linebacker for Miami (Fla.), Darrin Smith ranks fifth in school history in career tackles (401) and helped the Hurricanes to a 44-4 record, three bowl victories and two national championships. The team leader in tackles in 1991 (126), he was named a First Team All-American and the Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Following the 1992 season, Smith again earned First Team All-America honors and participated in the Senior Bowl. A two-time First Team All-Big East selection, he was inducted into the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Smith maintained a 3.2 GPA in marketing and was a member of Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.
Smith was selected in the second round (56th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and immediately earned a starting role, registering 93 tackles and earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. He started in Super Bowl XXVIII, helping the Cowboys to a 30-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills for their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Smith also led the Cowboys to a 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. He recorded 287 total tackles and nine sacks in four seasons with the Cowboys before becoming a free agent.
Smith finished his NFL career with two seasons on the Seattle Seahawks and four on the New Orleans Saints. He recorded 749 total tackles, 24 sacks and 11 interceptions in 11 seasons. Smith now owns and operates a real estate investment/development company and is a member of The Fountain of Pembroke Pines (Fla.) where he heads the Athletes for Christ Bible Study Ministry.
