Clifton Smith (linebacker)

Smith played high school football at Freeport High School in Freeport, New York. He was named the USA Today New York State Player of the Year. He also participated in basketball and track in high school. ==College career==

Smith played college football for the Syracuse Orange from 1999 to 2002. He played in 11 games, starting eight, his freshman year in 1999, recording 37 solo tackles, 29 assisted tackles and one sack, earning The Sporting News first-team Freshman All-American honors. He started all 11 games in 2000, accumulating 61 solo tackles, 47 assisted tackles, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, garnering first-team All-Big East and first-team All-ECAC recognition. Smith start all 13 games his junior season in 2001, totaling 57 solo tackles, 37 assisted tackles and three sacks, earning first-team All-Big East and first-team All-ECAC honors for the second consecutive year. He was also named the Defensive MVP of the 2001 Insight.com Bowl after accumulating 12 tackles (six solo), two sacks and one forced fumble. Smith led the Big East that year in tackles per game with 11.4. ==Professional career==

Washington Redskins Smith signed with the Washington Redskins on May 2, 2003, after going undrafted in the 2003 NFL draft. He was waived on August 31 and signed to the team's practice squad on September 2. He was promoted to the active roster on December 10 and played in one game during the 2003 season, recording one assisted tackle. Smith was waived on September 6, 2004, and signed to the practice squad on September 9, 2004. He re-signed with the Redskins on February 10, 2005. He was waived on August 29, 2005. Cleveland Browns Smith was signed to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on October 25, 2005. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 2, 2006. He was waived/injured on September 2 and reverted to injured reserve the next day. Smith was waived by the Browns on September 4, 2006. He was a fullback / linebacker for the Soul. He rushed 50 times for 131 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he recorded 33 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup. The Soul won ArenaBowl XXII that season. Chicago Rush Smith was assigned to the Chicago Rush of the AFL on February 19, 2010. He rushed seven times for 22 yards and five touchdowns. He also recorded 18 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups and one blocked kick. Philadelphia Soul (second stint) Smith was assigned to the Soul on December 29, 2011. He was placed on refuse to report on February 24, 2012. ==References==