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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Linebacker Rashad Smith to Sign with the Chicago Bears
4/26/2020 11:26:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Rashad Smith contributed in every aspect of Florida Atlantic University's defense and was the 2019 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl Defensive MVP. Smith is expected to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears.
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Smith's signature will mark the 48th Owl to extend his football career with an NFL team since 2004 when long snapper Brian Pare signed with the Bears, becoming the first Owl to ink his name on an NFL contract. Smith is the second in as many years to do so after running back/kick returner Kerrith Whyte was drafted by the Bears in 2019.
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The linebacker appeared in 51 games as an Owl and was all over the field tallying 316 tackles, including 31 for a loss of 113 yards, of which 11.5 were sacks. He had seven interceptions, defended 15 passes, forced two fumbles and recovered six. The quiet leader led the Owls to two Conference USA titles in three seasons and two Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl championships.
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With the completion of the deal, Smith will join 19 Owls currently listed on an NFL roster. He joins former teammate Azeez Al-Shaair, who is with San Francisco, and Adarius (Glanton) Taylor, who is with the Cleveland Browns, as one of three linebackers.
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Full Smith Bio
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*Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
Brandin Bryant | DT | Cleveland Browns
Trevon Coley | DT | Indianapolis Colts (Signed by the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent in March)
John Franklin III | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trey Hendrickson | DE | New Orleans Saints
Buddy Howell | RB | Houston Texans
Greg Joseph | PK | Tennessee Titans
Cre'von LeBlanc | CB | Philadelphia Eagles
Herb Miller III | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Sharrod Neasman | S | Atlanta Falcons
*Keith Reaser | CB | Kansas City Chiefs
Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
Andrew Soroh | DB | Kansas City Chiefs (Re-signed by the Chiefs as a free agent in April)
Adarius Taylor | LB | Cleveland Browns
Kerrith Whyte, Jr. | RB/KR | Pittsburgh Steelers
*Member of a Super Bowl team in their career
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James Pierre | DB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Rashad Smith | LB | Chicago Bears
Brandon Walton | OL | Buffalo Bills
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Smith's signature will mark the 48th Owl to extend his football career with an NFL team since 2004 when long snapper Brian Pare signed with the Bears, becoming the first Owl to ink his name on an NFL contract. Smith is the second in as many years to do so after running back/kick returner Kerrith Whyte was drafted by the Bears in 2019.
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The linebacker appeared in 51 games as an Owl and was all over the field tallying 316 tackles, including 31 for a loss of 113 yards, of which 11.5 were sacks. He had seven interceptions, defended 15 passes, forced two fumbles and recovered six. The quiet leader led the Owls to two Conference USA titles in three seasons and two Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl championships.
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With the completion of the deal, Smith will join 19 Owls currently listed on an NFL roster. He joins former teammate Azeez Al-Shaair, who is with San Francisco, and Adarius (Glanton) Taylor, who is with the Cleveland Browns, as one of three linebackers.
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Full Smith Bio
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Smith Highlights
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2019 Owls in the NFL
Players who ended 2019 on an NFL roster*Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
Brandin Bryant | DT | Cleveland Browns
Trevon Coley | DT | Indianapolis Colts (Signed by the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent in March)
John Franklin III | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trey Hendrickson | DE | New Orleans Saints
Buddy Howell | RB | Houston Texans
Greg Joseph | PK | Tennessee Titans
Cre'von LeBlanc | CB | Philadelphia Eagles
Herb Miller III | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Sharrod Neasman | S | Atlanta Falcons
*Keith Reaser | CB | Kansas City Chiefs
Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
Andrew Soroh | DB | Kansas City Chiefs (Re-signed by the Chiefs as a free agent in April)
Adarius Taylor | LB | Cleveland Browns
Kerrith Whyte, Jr. | RB/KR | Pittsburgh Steelers
*Member of a Super Bowl team in their career
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FAU NFL Class of 2020
Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland BrownsJames Pierre | DB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Rashad Smith | LB | Chicago Bears
Brandon Walton | OL | Buffalo Bills
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Players Mentioned
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CB
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OL
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