Lee Smith was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
CAREER TRANSACTIONSLee Smith was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
CAREER NOTES
- Smith appeared in 48 games at Marshall, starting 24 contests.
- Closed out his career with 75 receptions for 791 yards (10.5 avg.) and three touchdowns.
- Gained 41 yards on six kickoff returns (6.83), recorded four tackles (2 solos) and recovered a pair of fumbles.
- Originally enrolled at Tennessee.
2010 SEASON
- All-Conference USA second-team selection.
- Nominated for the Allstate Good Works Team (community service, academic success and athletic achievement) and the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end.
- Named team captain for the second-straight year, going on to have the best season of his career.
- Ranked second on the team with a career-best 38 receptions for 358 yards (9.42 avg.) and three touchdowns, scoring for the first time as a collegian.
- Also fielded a short kickoff for a 7-yard return in the season finale vs. Tulane.
2009 SEASON
- Earned All-Conference USA honorable mention.
- Started 9-of-13 games while serving as team captain.
- Finished fourth on the squad with 23 receptions for 335 yards (14.57 avg.), as he also returned three kickoffs for 24 yards (8.0 avg.).
- Recorded two solo tackles – one each vs. Memphis and Alabama-Birmingham.
2008 SEASON
- Played in all 12 games as a sophomore
- Caught 12 passes for 89 yards (7.42 avg.), as he also recorded two assisted tackles – one each vs. Illinois State and Central Florida.
2007 SEASON
- Saw significant action in his first season with Marshall on special teams and at tight end.
- Caught two passes for 9 yards, both coming in the Alabama-Birmingham contest.
- Returned a kickoff 10 yards vs. Central Florida.
2006 SEASON
- Did not play after enrolling at Marshall upon transferring from Tennessee.
- Sat out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
PERSONAL
- Attended Powell (Tenn.) High School.
- Married to wife, Alisha with a son, Brody and a daughter, Amanda.
- Member of the Fox Sports Net 2005 All-South Team.
- Collected 21 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season.
- Started at tight end and defensive end, adding 55 tackles with nine sacks during his final campaign.
- Also excelled in basketball, averaging 17 points game, nine rebounds and six assists during his three-year hoops career.
- Received the Cam Henderson Scholarship in 2010 and has a 3.2 grade point average with a double major in Psychology and criminal justice.
- Lee and his wife, Alisha, have two children - son Brody and daughter Amanda.
- Father, Daryle, was an offensive lineman at the University of Tennessee (1983-86) before signing a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys (1987-88). Daryle also competed with the Cleveland Browns (1989) and Philadelphia Eagles (1990-92). He finished his professional career in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts (1993), Sacramento (1994), San Antonio Texans (1995) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1996).
- Born Joseph Lere Smith on Nov. 21, 1987.
- Resides in Powell, Tenn.
