Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Bulldog Clifton Smith is Tampa Bay’s ‘Dark Knight’

Former Bulldog Clifton Smith is still making exciting plays and awing fans, but just not in Fresno anymore.

Last season with Fresno State, the tailback was a local star and the team̢۪s Most Valuable Player. His efforts helped to keep the Bulldog offense effective and unpredictable.

He caused opposing defensive coordinators to lose hours of sleep and returned the most kicks for touchdowns in school history – five.

Smith, who graduated following his 2007 senior season, has already scored two touchdowns on returns in the National Football League.

But the future of his career in the NFL was not very clear coming out of college.

The Fresno native, who many referred to as ‘Batman’ at Fresno State, was expecting to be selected in the late rounds of the draft. But when last April’s draft came and went, Smith was forced to play the waiting game.

“I didn’t get any phone calls [following the draft], but on the third day, my agent called and said I was invited to the Tampa Bay rookie camp,â€Â Smith said.

Smith said that there were over 50 rookie free agents invited to the Buccaneers camp and that the team was only looking to offer contracts to two or three players.

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

When he found out that he was going to stay with the Buccaneers and get his opportunity to play in Tampa Bay’s preseason games, Smith did what any 23-year-old would do – he called his mom.

“That was probably one of the happiest days of my life,â€Â Smith said. “It was a dream come true.â€Â

After making it through the rookie camp, Smith played in all four preseason games with the Bucs, but did not know where he would end up following the final cuts before the start of the regular season.

“After the last preseason game, there was a point where I didn’t know what was going to happen,â€Â Smith said.

He was given a chance to stay with the team for the regular season, but just not exactly how he expected. Smith was given a spot on the Bucs̢۪ practice squad, but was not on the active roster and did not play in any of the team̢۪s first seven games of the season.

Smith may only be 5-foot-8, but his perseverance and hard work on the practice squad showed coaches what they needed to see. He even picked up a new nickname from his teammates, ‘Peanut,’ because he is the smallest player on the team.

“You look at him, he’s not a tall guy, but he’s a very thick, quick, shifty, elusive back,â€Â Tampa Bay head coach John Gruden said. “And he’s a natural – he understands the game and he shows great poise as a player.â€Â

Smith finally got his chance to fulfill his dreams and play in an NFL game after spending his time on the practice squad. He returned punts against the Dallas Cowboys on national television this October, but it was not the start he was hoping for.

Juan Villa / Collegian File Photo

Smith had a fumble and ended up on highlight reels for all the wrong reasons. He was tackled by the Cowboys’ punter on a return and was rocked by the hit – his first highlight as a pro.

“It was just the butt of all the jokes,â€Â Smith said. “People were calling me and saying ‘Watch out for punters, they do lift weights.’â€Â

Even though Smith was far less than stellar in his debut, the Buccaneers gave him another shot the next week, and their faith paid off.

The next week in Kansas City, Smith scored his first NFL touchdown on a 98-yard kickoff return in the Buccaneers̢۪ overtime victory over the Chiefs.

“For him to contribute any way that he can, on the practice squad, leading up to when he got activated and coming in and making an instant splash, he’s definitely been a huge bright spot for this team this year,â€Â Buccaneer center Jeff Faine said.

Smith scored again two weeks later on a 70-yard punt return at Detroit.

In his five games, Smith has averaged 29.5 yards per kick return and leads the NFL in return average. Smith̢۪s return ability comes from his trust of his teammates and his daring attitude.

“You just have to be fearless,â€Â Smith said. “While you are up there looking at the lights, you have people running down there full speed ahead with one goal in mind and that’s taking your head off.â€Â

Since the Buccaneers activated Smith, the team has gone 4-1 and are now 9-3 overall, leading the NFC South and in prime position to make the playoffs.

And even if the Buccaneers do make the playoffs and opposing teams do take notice of Smith̢۪s returns, he is still going to play with something to prove.

“You just have to come in with a Dorito on your shoulder. You just have to have a big chip,â€Â Smith said. “You can’t let anything stand in your way of what you want to accomplish in life. I looked at it in that aspect and went about my dream.â€Â

Watch Clifton return kicks tonight on Monday Night Football when the Bucs take on the Carolina Panthers at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.