Football
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant / Defense
Former NFL defensive back De’Angelo Smith is in his third year working at Michigan State, his second as a graduate assistant. He works primarily with the defensive backs under Harlon Barnett. In 2014, Smith served as an operations assistant for the Spartans.
Smith was a three-year letterwinner as both a cornerback and safety at Cincinnati (2006-08), including three years (2004-06) under former UC coach and current MSU head coach Mark Dantonio. As a senior in 2008, Smith was named recipient of UC’s Brig Owens Award (outstanding back) after tallying 53 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions in helping the Bearcats win the Big East Championship and land a berth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. As a junior in 2007, Smith earned second-team All-BIG EAST honors and set a Bearcat single-season record with eight interceptions, which also tied for most in the NCAA FBS.
Smith was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft (No. 143 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. He played in seven games during the 2009 NFL season for the Detroit Lions, recording 16 tackles.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Smith earned first-team all-state honors as a senior while playing for Independence High School. He graduated from Cincinnati in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Smith is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education.
