Rusty Smith became the first former FAU player selected in the NFL draft when Tennessee selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. (Photo courtesy Tennessee Titans)
Titans take Rusty
No FAU player had ever been taken in the NFL Draft until Rusty Smith’s name was called by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Smith’s selection is our top story of the 2009-10 school year.
Originally published on
7/15/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger began touting quarterback Rusty Smith’s pro potential after his sophomore season and didn’t waver even after Smith’s injury to his non-throwing shoulder midway through Smith’s senior season.
The Tennessee Titans must have agreed as they drafted Smith in the sixth round making Smith the first player in the history of the FAU program to be selected in the NFL Draft.
And unlike many former FAU players who signed as undrafted free agents in the past, Smith appears to have a realistic chance of making the Titans’ roster.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher agreed with Schnellenberger that Smith’s experience running the Owls’ pro-style offense may allow him to make a smooth transition to the NFL.
What we wrote
Why it's important
After nine seasons, no FAU player had been taken in the NFL Draft, but that all changed when Smith was selected on a day when Willie Rose signed as a free agent with the Titans and tight end Jason Harmon signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Smith’s selection came as FAU was about to kickoff the spring game, perhaps giving current players inspiration that they can take their game to the next level and be drafted like Smith.
Schools which have experienced far less success than FAU had been able to claim that the Owls don't produce NFL players. Strike that argument. Smith's selection will help FAU coaches on the recruiting trail and should continue to raise the profile of FAU football.