Feb. 8, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Ryan Powell UCF Athletics Communications rpowell@athletics.ucf.edu 407-823-0994
February 8, 2008
Former Knight Kevin Smith Honored At 44th-Annual Charity Sports Dinner Record-setting running back was honored as the college player of the year
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Former UCF running back Kevin Smith was recognized as college football's player of the year as part of Thursday's ceremonies for the 44th-annual Charity Sports Dinner at the Ambassodor Center at the Courtyard by Marriott. Smith accepted the award in front of nearly 350 on-lookers.
Smith, a consensus All-American in 2007, had a record-breaking season for the Knights, helping lead the team to its first conference title in school history. The Miami native rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns in the Bright House Networks Conference USA Championship Game, propelling the Knights to a 44-25 victory over Tulsa on Dec. 1. UCF finished a season with 10 wins for just the second time in program history.
Daunte Culpepper is the only other player in school history to earn an individual national honor as he was named the co-college football player of the year by the Sports Network in 1998.
Smith finished his junior campaign with 2,567 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns. His single-season rushing effort was the second highest in FBS history, trailing only Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders.
Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft, won the college football player of the year honor at the same event last year.
Smith is currently training for the NFL Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which is slated for Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis, Ind. The 2008 NFL Draft will be held in New York City on April 26-27.
-UCF-