Yawin Alexander Smallwood (born December 25, 1991) is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at University of Connecticut. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans.
 Smallwood with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014 | |
| No. 54 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 25, 1991 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 246 lb (112 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Doherty Memorial (Worcester, Massachusetts) |
| College: | UConn |
| NFL draft: | 2014 / round: 7 / pick: 253 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editSmallwood attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts. He recorded 71 tackles as a senior in 2009 with five sacks, rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns and also passed for 126 yards. As a junior, playing as a quarterback, he passed for 726 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 724 yards and six touchdowns. He was a three-time Division I all-star and two-time Division I Defensive MVP. ( HE WAS HIM )
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 4th best prospect in the state of Massachusetts.[1] He accepted a scholarship from Connecticut.
College career
editAfter redshirting in 2010, he enjoyed a terrific first year of playing collegiate football in 2011 by starting all 12 games at middle linebacker. He was the second-leading tackler on the team with 94 stops, just three off the team lead, and also had 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a 28-yard interception returned for a TD. As a redshirt sophomore, he was a first team All-Big East selection in 2012 and led the Huskies in tackles with 120 and was second in tackles for a loss with 15 and also had four sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2013, he led the team in tackles with 118, was second in tackles for loss with 9.5, he also had four sacks and had a 59-yard interception return TD against Temple, and was named first-team All-AAC.
On December 7, 2013, Smallwood announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft.[2]
Professional career
editHe was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[3] The Falcons waived Smallwood on August 29, 2014.[4] On November 20, 2014, Smallwood was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Yawin Smallwood". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ Silver, John F. (May 10, 2014). "Smallwood to enter NFL Draft". snyuconn.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ Connor, Desmond (May 10, 2014). "UConn's Shamar Stephen, Yawin Smallwood Picked In Seventh Round". Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ Falcons Make Initial Wave of Final Cuts
- ^ "Titans Promote LB Justin Staples to Active Roster; Sign LB Yawin Smallwood to Practice Squad". www.titansonline.com. Nashville, TN: Titans Online. November 20, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2017.