Player Profile

COLLEGE: Always looking for a player who can make plays in multiple facets of the game, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Zuriel Smith with their second pick in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Smith, a small college speedster, showed during his collegiate career that he can make plays down the field, averaging 14.6 yards-per-reception while posting an eye-popping 16.8 yards-per-punt return at Hampton. He is a solid route runner who knows how to effectively use his body to shield opponents from the ball while having an explosiveness on punt returns that allows him to quickly clear the initial wave of defenders. Smith, who is looking to make the jump from Division I-AA football to the NFL, will be counting on his big-play ability to land a spot on the Cowboys depth chart as a receiver and kick returner.

2002: Smith closed out his collegiate career by earning AFCA All-America honors after posting a team-high 53 receptions for 773 yards (14.6 avg.) and six touchdowns and returning 27 punts at an 18.5 yards-per-return clip, including one taken back for a touchdown. Smith opened the season with four catches for 72 yards and two scores and a 26-yard punt return against James Madison. He eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards - 109 on four catches with a touchdown - and punt return yards - 102 on two returns - against Howard. He posted seven receptions for 85 yards against Alcorn State and six catches for 92 yards at Delaware State before catching a season-high eight passes for 73 yards and a touchdown against Bowie State. Smith returned five punts for 99 yards against Norfolk State and then posted a season-high 142 receiving yards and a score on seven catches at South Carolina State. In four career games against South Carolina State, Smith caught 35 passes for 536 yards (15.3 avg.) and five touchdowns. He caught seven passes for 71 yards and a score while returning his only career kickoff 57 yards against Florida A&M.

2001: Smith put together a career-year as a junior, catching a team- and career-high 58 passes for 732 yards and six scores to earn All-MEAC honors. He led the conference with 66.5 receiving yards-per-game while ranking second in all-purpose yards. He also continued to showcase his ability to return punts, averaging 17.7 yards on 29 punt returns, including four for touchdowns. He opened the season with nine catches for 98 yards at New Hampshire. He then returned three punts for 178 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia State, tying the NCAA I-AA record for punt return touchdowns in a game. He led the team with five catches for 53 yards against Rhode Island before posting a team-high six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown at Norfolk State while returning five punts for 55 yards. He set career-highs with 13 receptions for 160 yards while returning four punts for 48 yards against South Carolina State. He had six catches for 74 yards against Florida A&M and nine receptions for 124 yards and three scores at Bethune-Cookman. Smith returned six punts for 132 yards (22.0 avg.) at North Carolina A&T.

2000: Smith caught a team-high 47 passes for 816 yards (17.4 avg.) and five touchdowns to earn selection to the VASIDA All-State team. He also returned five punts for 40 yards (8.0 avg.). He caught six of the Pirates nine completions for 63 yards against Southern before posting five receptions for 122 yards against Delaware State. He caught seven passes for a season-high 150 yards and a touchdown against Norfolk State then posted his third consecutive 100-yard receiving game with 141 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches at South Carolina State. Smith registered five of Hampton's nine completions for 66 yards against Bethune-Cookman and five-of-10 completions against North Carolina A&T.

1999: As a redshirt freshman, Smith saw action in 10 games and closed the year tied for the team lead with 31 catches for 429 yards and four touchdowns. He also averaged 13.0 yards on seven punt returns. Smith posted six receptions for 63 yards and returned three punts for 62 yards against Howard. He then caught a season-high eight passes for a season-high 93 yards and two touchdowns against South Carolina State. Late in the season against Bethune-Cookman, he registered five receptions for 89 yards and a score. He caught five passes for 51 yards, including a 20-yarder, in postseason action against Southern.

1998: Smith was redshirted as a true freshman.

PERSONAL: Smith was a three-sport (football, track and basketball) standout performer for Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Va. He earned all-state honors as a freshman, sophomore, and junior high jumper, long jumper and triple jumper for the track team, consistently ranking in the top five in the state as a junior. Smith did not join the football team until his junior year.