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Ian Smart Running Back Scottish Claymores 2004 Inducted in 2008 |
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When the Claymores instituted a 'fan draft' in 2000, each of the various fan clubs were invited to draft and sponsor players for the season. In the first couple of seasons we had great success with the likes of Aaron Stecker and Dante Hall, who went on to have great NFL careers. Our final pick in 2004, running back Ian Smart, also got to the play in the NFL before finding a more permanent home in the CFL, even scoring a key touchdown in the Grey Cup. It's about time we welcomed Ian belatedly to the Cheddarhead Hall of Fame!
Ian in action for the Claymores in 2004 |
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Jamaican born Ian came to the Claymores in 2004 after an extraordinary college career at C.W. Post. This small non-scholarship school is an 'idyllic wooded' campus of Long Island University located on the northern shore of Long Island, NY. Ian's record setting career helped put the Pioneers on the football map. His 95 career touchdowns and 570 points were the most in the history of college football when he left (it's now 4th as 2008, though his average of 2.1 rushing TD's per game is still first). His 6,647 career rushing yards were 3rd all time when left (now 6th as of 2008). His career average of 7.58 per rush is still first (among those with 750 carries). His exploits were such that the school pushed "Smart for Heisman" during his senior season. That 2002 season was a landmark year for the Pioneers with Smart leading the way (highlighted by a 335 yard rushing game and 6 TD's on only 16 carries vs UMass-Lowell). As a non-scholarship program in Division II they had never been invited to the playoffs before. But the 11-1 champions of the Northeast-10 got an invite to the 16 team field, the only such non scholarship school to do so (which Ian lists as his greatest accomplishment). Their Cinderella run however would come to an end, losing 62-13 to the best Div-II team in the country Grand Valley State, despite a 76 yard TD from Ian. GVS were led by future Claymore team mate QB Curt Anes who threw 6 TD's. Anes would prove a thorn in Ian's side, as he beat him to the coveted Harlon Hill Trophy that year as well (the Div-II equivalent of the Heisman) by 271 to 180 votes. |
Ian set all kind of records at C.W. Post
Ian's shirt proudly hangs in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN (Oct 2004) |
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Despite some interest from Falcons, Saints and Colts Ian went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft. The NY Jets signed him as a free agent, and allocated him to Scotland after the season. At the Claymores in 2004 he was part of a crowded backfield that featured future NFLer Maurice Hicks and highly regarded Ahmaad Galloway, so his opportunities were limited. However in the rain in Berlin in Week 1 he shone brightly, catching 5 passes for 69 yards and leading a 4th quarter fightback that just fell short. With the team's offense in a season long funk Ian got more opportunities on special teams - during the infamous 'Mud Bowl' at Hampden in Week 3 he returned 5 punts for 50 yards. When the coaching staff finally gave Ian more chances on offense, he excelled later in the season - rushing for 80 yards on 9 carries including a 41 yard TD versus Cologne in the final ever Claymore game.
Ian
(#35) shone in the Berlin rain in Week 1 2004
Back at the Jets, Ian couldn't quite catch on, despite taking a punt back for a score versus the Colts in pre-season. However the Tampa Bay Bucs were needing some help on special teams after losing Aaron Stecker to free agency in 2004 - and late in the season signed Ian to their active roster. Ian returned kicks for 4 games, and also got to run the ball twice for 26 yards. His 13.0 career average in the NFL must surely rank as one of the highest all-time! After spending 2005 stuck on the Bucs practice squad, Ian decided to go North and play in the CFL for 2006 signing with Montreal. When the Alouettes released him in July, the championship bound BC Lions picked him up mid-season which proved to be a shrewd move. After impressing on special teams, Ian made his mark on 'offence' in the Grey Cup scoring the Lions only TD on a 25 yard run. Amazingly all the point scored by the Lions in their 25-14 victory over Montreal were scored by ex-Claymores as kicker Paul McCallum booted the other 19 (winning MVC - most valuable Canadian). In his first full season in the CFL in 2007, Ian excelled leading all return specialists in both kickoff (1,228) and punt return yardage (912) as well as combined yards (2,440). Fittingly he was named the CFL's top special teams player. In 2008 he looks to repeat his success, as well as contributing on offense. Youtube
clips of Ian in the CFL
Welcome to the Hall Ian! |
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NFLE Career Regular Season Statistics (NFLE 2004) |
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Category |
No |
Yards |
Avg |
TD |
Lg |
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Rush |
41 |
201 |
4.9 |
1 |
41t |
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Rec |
9 |
101 |
11.2 |
0 |
21 |
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Punt Ret |
13 |
82 |
6.3 |
0 |
25 |
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Kick Ret |
11 |
213 |
19.4 |
0 |
32 |
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