MORE ON RYAN SMITH

By: Eric Grover
Wahpeton (N.D.) Daily News

Former Wahpeton Huskies and North Dakota State University football standout Ryan Smith is on to the professional level, signing a one-year deal with a second-year club option with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the defending Grey Cup champions of the Canadian Football League.

“It was always my dream but I didn’t know if it would become a reality. It just shows that if you work your butt off, hard work pays off. It’s crazy. It’s just really crazy,” Smith said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to play football again. That’s all I was asking for the whole time — another opportunity. Talking with my family, it’s what I think I need to do. I’m looking forward to going up there and making the team.”

Primarily used as a running back while wearing the purple and gold, Smith was a two-time All-State selection for the Huskies and holds nine school records, including Most Rushing Yards in a season (2,781), Total Offense in a season (2,893 yards) and Rushing Touchdowns in a season (40). His work ethic began back then, said Smith’s high school coach Mike McCall, the current school athletic director.

“When he came up as a freshman he was an undersized kid with great speed. He’s made his living doing the things others said he couldn’t do. He had a tremendous work ethic and put in the time to get better,” McCall said. “To see him continue his career at the next level is exciting and I think he’ll do very well up there.”

Converted to a wide receiver in college, Smith was also a part of three consecutive national championships for the Bison in football, capping off his senior season with an undefeated record.

He finished his collegiate career with 1,783 yards and eight touchdowns on 147 receptions, as well as 271 yards and three touchdowns on 32 rushing attempts. Smith was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second team selection.

Shortly after the conclusion of the college season in January, he began working out again, getting ready for pro teams to give him a look.

“I started reaching out to some NFL and CFL teams,” said Smith’s agent, Reed Duchscher, a former NDSU football player himself. “Saskatchewan showed interest and Ryan was interested because he could play football right away at his position. He didn’t want to go to the NFL and play in 10 plays a game on special teams. He wanted to play 60 plays as a kick returner and wide receiver.”

Smith was invited to the Roughriders minicamp in Florida, held April 4-6. A little more than a week later, he was offered a deal.

“Before you know it, I was signing a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders,” Smith said.
“When he got to mini-camp, their eyes got a little wider. Whether he starts or not is going to be decided in fall camp. He’s going to have to compete for the job,” Duchscher said. “But they see him playing a big role offensively in their future.”

Details of the contract are not being disclosed per CFL rules, Duchscher said. But if Smith didn’t have enough motivation already, he will be able to renegotiate terms at the end of the upcoming season, which begins in June.

Since winning his third national championship in January, Smith said the process of turning professional has been a difficult, but worthwhile journey.

“It’s been a really fun process, going through workouts and pro days, signing an agent and going to minicamp, signing a contract,” he said. “The steps keep on getting bigger and it’s been a great ride. It’s been hectic, but overall pretty fun.”

Smith, who is majoring in business administration at NDSU, will finish his degree in the summer with online classes. Smith said he’s been up to Canada before, but not Regina, Saskatchewan, where the team is based. The CFL offers small differences between NFL and NCAA play, including a wider, longer field and 12 players per side.

“It’s just like any other game. You’ll have to adjust. But I’m just going to go out there and play football. You have to love and enjoy it,” Smith said. “… They’re a very successful organization and won the Grey Cup last year. I’m excited to get up there and start working.”

(http://m.wahpetondailynews.com/mobile/sports/article_06853206-c640-11e3-8d76-0019bb2963f4.html)