L.A. Avengers sign defensive specialist Jermaine Smith
Published on October 26, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Continuing to bolster their roster at the defensive specialist position, the Los Angeles Avengers have signed Jermaine Smith to a two-year contract, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Smith (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) played in 11 games last season for the Central Valley Coyotes of arenafootball2 (the developmental league established by the Arena Football League in 1999). In what was his first season playing indoors, he finished with 26 tackles, five pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.
"We worked Jermaine out twice and really like him," said Hodgkiss, who has led the Avengers to the playoffs in each of his three years at the helm. "We think he can come in and compete for one of the two DS spots. Jermaine has the ability to cover the motion guy and play in the middle of the field, which is tough to do. It's hard to find guys who can do that, so we're very happy to be able to sign him."
A rare four-year starter at cornerback for the University of Washington, Smith finished his collegiate career with 136 tackles (4.5 for losses), 25 pass break-ups and five interceptions, including one that was returned for a 91-yard touchdown. After earning a spot on the All-Pacific-10 Conference second team as a senior in 1999, he signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens following the 2000 NFL Draft.
Smith was one of the Ravens' final cuts at the end of preseason play, but joined the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad for the majority of the 2000 campaign. In 2001, the Seahawks allocated him to NFL Europe, where he had two interceptions in six games for the Amsterdam Admirals and Scottish Claymores. After injuring his shoulder in Europe, Smith spent the 2001 season on Seattle's injured reserve list.
At Royal High School (Simi Valley, Calif.), Smith was a three-sport standout. He was an All-CIF and All-Ventura County defensive back, who also scored a pair of touchdowns as a receiver, as a 1994 senior. On the Pioneer track & field team, Smith once clocked a 10.9 over 100-meters and recorded a leap of 21-7 in the long jump. He also played on the basketball at Royal.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity to play at home, which is something I haven't done since high school," Smith said. "Playing Arena Football last year was different, but it's a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to joining the Avengers."
Born in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 1977, Smith currently resides in Inglewood, Calif., with his wife, Danika, and daughter, Jayla.
The Avengers went 9-7 this past season and qualified for the ArenaBowl Playoffs for the third consecutive year. Los Angeles led the AFL in scoring (56.5 points per game) and averaged 12,590 fans at STAPLES Center for eight home games.
Fifty dollar deposits for 2005 Avenger season tickets are now being accepted at 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
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