Rusty Smith life and biography

PRO:
The Titans used their first of two sixth-round selections in 2010 on Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith, a strong-armed signal caller with solid vision and pocket awareness. The three-and-a-half year starter for the Owls can make all the throws and excels as a passer outside of the pocket. He enters the NFL having led Florida Atlantic to their first two Bowl Game appearances in school history. Smith will compete for a backup job in training camp.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• As a sophomore, Smith was named 2007 Sun Belt Player of the Year and set FAU records for a season with 3,688 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. He led the Owls to their first ever Bowl appearance, a victory against Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl.
• In 2008, Smith was named the team MVP after starting all 13 games and completing 234 of 435 passes for 3,224 yards with 24 touchdowns. Led his team to the Motor City Bowl where he captured MVP honors.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• When he was in high school Smith began attending the same church in Jacksonville as Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. The two signal callers know each other and have worked out together.
• Smith’s parents, Russell and Melody, own two restaurants called Russ-Doe’s Sandwich Shops in Jacksonville. He grew up working in the restaurants and still helps out when he is in town. One of the most popular sandwiches is the “Russ-Doe’s Special,” which includes ground beef, small diced onions with the family’s “special” ingredient. Only a handful of people actually know what the ingredient is.
• Smith became the first player ever drafted out of Florida Atlantic when the Titans selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Jacksonville, Fla., native was selected by the Titans with their first of two sixth-round picks (176th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:

• Smith became the most prolific passer in Florida Atlantic football history during his four-year career with the Owls. He amassed school records with 10,112 passing yards, 768 completions and 76 touchdowns. He led the Owls to back-to-back Bowl appearances for the first time from 2007-2008.

AS A SENIOR (2009), saw action in only seven games after suffering an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Completed 145 of 253 passes for 1,915 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. Became one of just 50 players nationally to throw for more than 10,000 career passing yards. Also became the FAU career record holder in pass attempts (1,361), completions (768), passing yards (10,112) and touchdowns (76).
• Against Louisiana-Monroe (9/26), completed 30 of 50 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Connected on touchdown passes of 18 and five yards in the second half.
• At North Texas (10/17), connected on 21 of 40 passes for 308 yards with three touchdowns. Scored on a 17-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
• At Louisiana-Lafayette (10/24), completed 18 of 28 passes for 359 yards with four touchdowns. Tallied a season-best 70-yard touchdown pass in the opening stanza. Notched a 60-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter.

AS A JUNIOR (2008), named the team MVP after starting all 13 games and completing 234 of 435 passes for 3,224 yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Was a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Week recipient and also earned Palm Beach County Amateur Athlete of the Year.
• Against North Texas (11/8), passed for 237 yards and four touchdowns in victory. Completed touchdown tosses of 13, 16, three and 57 yards.
• Against Louisiana-Lafayette (11/15), earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors after completing 17 of 26 passes for 290 yards with four touchdowns.
• Against Florida International (11/29), collected Sun Belt Player of the Week honors after connecting on 25 of 50 passes for 389 yards with a career-best tying five touchdowns in an overtime victory. Connected on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds remaining to send the game in overtime. Gave FAU the win with a nine-yard touchdown toss in overtime.
• Against Central Michigan (12/26), earned Motor City Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 306 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

AS A SOPHOMORE (2007), named 2007 Sun Belt Player of the Year after setting numerous school records including passing yards in a season (3,688) and touchdowns in a season (32). Was named Sun Belt Player of the Week four times and set a conference record with 3,688 passing yards. Received the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s Amateur Athlete of the Year award.
• Against Minnesota (9/15), led FAU to the program’s and Sun Belt Conference’s first win against a Big Ten team. Completed 22 of 44 passes for a career-high 463 yards with five touchdowns. Also named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week and National Player of the Week by USAToday.com.
• At Florida International (11/24), named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 330 yards and four touchdowns.
• Against Memphis (12/21), named New Orleans Bowl MVP after completing 25 of 32 passes for 336 yards and five touchdowns.

AS A FRESHMAN (2006), played in 12 games with four starts and accumulated 1,285 passing yards with six touchdowns. Was named the opening day starter against Clemson for playing in a backup role for the next eight games. Started the final three games leading the team to two victories.
• Against Troy (11/11), completed 24 of 37 passes for 312 yards with two touchdowns.

AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2005), had a strong first fall of practice. Traveled with the team and worked with the coaches. Split time starting under first team center in the spring of 2006.
• Majored in Information Management Systems at Florida Atlantic.

PERSONAL:

• Married to Nicole and the couple splits time between Nashville and Jacksonville, Fla.
• Attended Sandalwood High School (Jacksonville, Fla.) and lettered in football and baseball.
• As a senior, completed 105 passes in 176 attempts for 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, with just three interceptions. Started for the North in the Jacksonville Shrine All-Star Game.
• Was a three-year letterwinner in baseball as a pitcher.
• Enjoys the outdoors including hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, golf, volleyball and biking.
• Was a youth leader for high school students for three years at Boca Raton Community Center.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Shawshank Redemption”, “Gladiator”, “Pirates of Caribbean”; (TV show) anything on ESPN; (actor/actress) Kevin Costner/Julia Roberts; (music artist) Tim McGraw; (school subject) Math; (video game) none; (food) Macaroni and cheese and Italian; (sports hero) Danny Wuerffel; and (sports team as a child) Atlanta Braves and Indianapolis Colts.
• Born Russell Edgar Smith on Jan. 28, 1987 in Jacksonville, Fla.

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