Keith Smith

BIOGRAPHY

Alton Keith Smith Jr. was born on April 8, 1992, in Pomona, CA. He is a fullback in the National Football League.

He started playing football in the fourth grade. In Charter Oak High School, Smith lettered in football, track, and field. He won the 2009 Miramonte League Defensive Player of the year and won two times in All-CIF Southeast Southern Section.

In San Jose State, Smith was a four-year starter as a linebacker. He was the first San Jose State player to receive freshman All-America recognition from the Football Writers Association of America and the second San Jose State player in the modern era to receive all-conference honors for four years straight, and a four-time all-conference linebacker. Smith graduated from San Jose State with a B.A in communications studies in December 2013. In 49 games, Smith made 45 starts and had 476 total tackles, the second most among all-time San Jose State players.

In May 2014, Smith signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Smith made his NFL debut in the Cowboys' 34–31 season-opening win over the St. Louis Rams. At the end of the 2015 season, at his exit meeting with head coach Jason Garrett, Smith was told he was being converted into a fullback based on his work with the scout team, in order to give him a better chance to make the roster. After the team chose not to re-sign Tyler Clutts, he entered OTAs competing with Rod Smith for the starting position. Although they both made the team, Keith was named the starting fullback at the end of training camp. He contributed to rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott winning the NFL rushing title, while finishing his first season as a fullback with two carries for five-yards and three receptions for 20 receiving yards in 16 games and one start. He also was a core special teams player.

Smith remained as the team's starting fullback in 2017, playing in 16 games, while blocking for Elliott and Alfred Morris. He was tied for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles and also forced 2 fumbles. On March 15, 2018, Smith signed a two-year contract with the Oakland Raiders, reuniting with Rich Bisaccia who was his special teams coach with the Cowboys.

On September 2, 2019, Smith was signed by the Atlanta Falcons and On September 2, 2019, Smith was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.