Feb. 26, 2009

Football: Former Penguin Kyle Smith Signs With Winnipeg Blue Bombers

    Winnipeg, Manitoba – Former Youngstown State wide receiver Kyle Smith was among a pair of import free agents signees announced by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the organization announced this week. Signing with Smith was defensive back Brandon Stewart.

    Smith, 6-0, 176, has spent time on the roster of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but did not play a game. Last season he was with the Georgia Force and Arizona Rattlers of the Arena League.  

    Smith, an two-time honorable-mention all-conference selection for the Penguins, caught a team-high 37 passes for 482 yards and five touchdowns during his senior campaign. He had at least one reception in the eight games he played during the year, including a season-high seven against Illinois State. In his final YSU contest, he had 111 yards on six grabs and two touchdowns against Western Kentucky.
    For his career, he caught 101 passes 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 101 receptions tie him for ninth in school history while his yardage total ranks him 11th. He caught at least one pass in his final 30 games with the program, eclipsing the previous mark of 28.
    During his final three campaigns he had 482 yards as a senior, 444 yards as a junior and 530 as a sophomore. He became the first YSU player since Renauld Ray (1997-99) to have more than 400 yards receiving in three straight campaigns.
    He had 56 punt returns during his career, the third most by a player in school history. His 377 punt-return yards also rank as the third most in YSU history.
    “Both of these young men have a big upside physically, and have a hunger to excel," Head Coach Mike Kelly said.  "They will be given the opportunity to compete in training camp and should push to make the roster."