Fred Smalls
Encyclopedia
Fred Smalls ia a former American football
linebacker
who played in the Arena Football League and collegiately
for the West Virginia Mountaineers
.
in 1982 under head coach
Don Nehlen
. In his freshman season, Smalls recorded 6 tackles
, a fumble
recovery. In his sophomore season, he recorded 13 tackles and a pass break-up as a backup.
In 1983, Smalls earned the starting
position. That junior season, he recorded 87 tackles, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two sacks
. As a senior, in 1984, Smalls totaled 97 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 3 sacks.
in the 1986 NFL Draft
. He played 3 games for the Philadelphia Eagles
in 1987
.
In 1990, Smalls moved to the Arena Football League and began playing with the Pittsburgh Gladiators
. He only spent a short part of 1990 with the Gladiators, recording 5 tackles. He then moved to the Washington Commandos
, where he played fullback
along with linebacker. He finished the season with 18 tackles and a sack on defense with the Commandos and 3 receptions for 25 yards and 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown on offense.
In 1991, Smalls played with the Albany Firebirds. That season, his last in professional
football, Smalls recorded 4 tackles and a sack.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who played in the Arena Football League and collegiately
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
.
Collegiate career
Fred Smalls enrolled at West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
in 1982 under head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen is a former American football player and coach. He was head football coach at Bowling Green State University and at West Virginia University . Nehlen retired from coaching college football in 2001 with a career record of 202–128–8 and as the 17th winningest coach in...
. In his freshman season, Smalls recorded 6 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovery. In his sophomore season, he recorded 13 tackles and a pass break-up as a backup.
In 1983, Smalls earned the starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
position. That junior season, he recorded 87 tackles, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
. As a senior, in 1984, Smalls totaled 97 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 3 sacks.
Professional career
Smalls was selected in the 7th round, 182nd overall by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1986 NFL Draft
1986 NFL Draft
The 1986 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 29–30, 1986...
. He played 3 games for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1987
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
.
In 1990, Smalls moved to the Arena Football League and began playing with the Pittsburgh Gladiators
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
. He only spent a short part of 1990 with the Gladiators, recording 5 tackles. He then moved to the Washington Commandos
Washington Commandos
The Washington Commandos were an Arena football team that operated from 1987 to 1990.-Inaugural season :The Washington Commandos were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the initial four-team "demonstration season" of 1987....
, where he played fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
along with linebacker. He finished the season with 18 tackles and a sack on defense with the Commandos and 3 receptions for 25 yards and 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown on offense.
In 1991, Smalls played with the Albany Firebirds. That season, his last in professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
football, Smalls recorded 4 tackles and a sack.