Fred Smalls

Frederick R. Smalls (born January 17, 1963) is a former American football linebacker and arena football linebacker / fullback. He played college football at West Virginia. He was drafted in the seventh round (182nd overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

Not to be confused with Fred Small (American football).
Fred Smalls
No. 53
Position:Fullback / Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1963-01-17) January 17, 1963
Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Beaufort (SC) Battery Creek
College:West Virginia
NFL Draft:1986 / Round: 7 / Pick: 182
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:2.5
Career Arena statistics
Total tackles:27
Sacks:2
Receptions / Yards:3 / 25
Rushes / Yards:12 / 44
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR · ArenaFan.com

College career

Smalls, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, enrolled at West Virginia University in 1982. In his freshman season, Smalls recorded six tackles, a fumble recovery. In, 1983 as a sophomore, he recorded 13 tackles and a pass break-up as a backup.

In 1984, as a junior, Smalls earned the starting position. That season, he recorded 87 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two sacks. He was named to the NEA All-America team.[1] As a senior, in 1985, Smalls totaled 97 tackles, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three sacks. He was also named to the AP All-East team.[2][3]

Professional career

National Football League

Smalls was selected in the seventh round, 182nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1986 NFL Draft.[4][5] However, he was cut in August 1986.[6]

In 1987, he joined the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[7] Also in 1987, he played three games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987. In 1988, he spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during training camp before retiring in July.[8][9]

Arena Football League

In 1990, Smalls joined the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). He only spent a short part of 1990 with the Gladiators, recording five 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 three receptions for 25 yards and 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown on offense. In 1991, Smalls joined the Albany Firebirds. That season, he recorded four tackles and a sack.

References
  1. Olderman, Murray (November 20, 1984). "USC's Seawright named to NEA All-America team". The Index-Journal. NEA. p. 11. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  2. "Top-ranked Nittany Lions dominate AP's All-East team". The Index-Journal. AP. December 17, 1985. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  3. "All-East team". The Salina Journal. AP. December 17, 1985. p. 14. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  4. "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  5. "Football: NFL Draft". The Salina Journal. April 30, 1986. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  6. "Monday's Sports Transactions". The San Bernardino County Sun. August 19, 1986. p. 34. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  7. "Transactions". The San Bernardino County Sun. June 27, 1988. p. 33. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  8. "Transactions". Galveston Daily News. July 14, 1988. p. 18. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
  9. "Transactions". The Salina Journal. July 14, 1988. p. 14. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. icon of an open green padlock
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