DerekSmith

? First-team All-SEC by The Associated Press, SEC Coaches, The Sporting News, Football News, College Sports Southeast TV Network, and CollegeFootballNews.com (2000)
? Honorable-mention All-America by Football News (2000)
? Semifinalist for the John Mackey Award for the nation?s best tight end (2000)

Emerged as one of the nation?s top tight ends last season when he was a consensus first-team All-SEC selection ? Led the team in receiving last year and hopes to increase his contributions in the coming season ? Has a great combination of size, speed, and hands ? Concentrated on improving his blocking in the spring as the Wildcats work to be more productive in running the ball ? Has played in 22 games, starting 12.

2000 (Sophomore): Consensus choice as the first-team All-SEC tight end ? A semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation?s top tight end ? One of only two sophomores among the eight Mackey semifinalists ? Team?s leading receiver with 50 catches for 716 yards and five TDs, plus a pair of two-point conversions ? Ranked seventh in the SEC with 4.6 receptions per game and sixth in the league in receiving yardage with 65.1 yards per game ? Caught five passes for 108 yards vs. Georgia and six for 102 vs. Mississippi State ? Had an 89-yard play against Georgia that is the third-longest pass play in UK history ? Had a career-high eight catches and two TD receptions at Florida.

1999 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as an apprentice behind All-America tight end James Whalen … Caught nine passes for 112 yards, an average of 12.4 yards per reception … Started the Tennessee game when UK opened with a two-tight end set … Saw his most extensive action against the Volunteers, also playing as a slot receiver, and snagged six passes for 85 yards … Caught a 23-yard pass against Louisiana State on a fake punt ? Pressed into full-time duty in the Music City Bowl when Whalen went down with an injury and responded with five catches for 56 yards.

High School: Marvelous all-around athlete who was one of the top tight end prospects in the nation … Three-year starter at tight end and defensive end, helping lead Highlands HS in Ft. Thomas, Ky., to Class AAA state championships in his sophomore and senior seasons … As a senior, caught 44 passes for 1,058 yards, 24 yards per catch, and 19 touchdowns … Totaled 85 tackles, seven quarterback sacks, 12 tackles for loss, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one fumble caused, four pass breakups, and one blocked kick … An All-America pick by PrepStar, The Sporting News, Street and Smith?s, SuperPrep, Football Player, and Student Sports magazines … Named the player of the year in Kentucky by Gatorade, KHSAA, and Paul Hornung … Runner-up for ?Mr. Football? … First-team all-state by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal and was named to the Lexington Herald-Leader ?Class of the Commonwealth? listing of the top 22 seniors in the state … Second-team all-state as a junior when he caught 34 passes for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns, made 45 tackles, and punted for a 36.2-yard average … Three-year career totals include 84 pass receptions for 2,017 yards, 24 yards per catch, and 33 touchdowns … Totaled 163 tackles, including 19 quarterback sacks and 22 tackles for loss, along with six interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, four fumbles caused, 13 pass breakups, and two blocked kicks … Teammate of fellow UK signee Jared Lorenzen … Coached by Dale Mueller … Outstanding basketball forward who was a four-year starter in that sport … First-team all-state as a junior by the Louisville Courier-Journal and was a candidate for ?Mr. Basketball? … Averaged double figures in scoring since his freshman season, averaging 21.2 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in his senior campaign … Was named to nine all-tournament teams and won five tournament most outstanding player awards, including in-season and post-season tourneys … The 1998 ?Grid-Hoop National Player of the Year? by Student Sports magazine in recognition of his all-around prowess in football and basketball … Also a noteworthy baseball player, leading the team in hitting as a sophomore … Named to the district baseball all-tournament team two seasons … Was a member of the school newspaper and yearbook staffs … Has been involved with numerous community service activities, including the Ft. Thomas Summer Camp for Handicapped Children, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, and youth basketball leagues … Picked Kentucky over Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan, and Florida State.

Personal: Full name is Christopher Derek Smith … Born 10-1-80 in Campbell County, Ky. … Son of Chris and Carolyn Smith … Major is agricultural education.

The Cats? Cause: Participated in the Cat Tales reading program at area schools (2000) ? Guest speaker at area schools (2000-01).

Smith Career Statistics

YearPositionG-GSRec.Yds.Avg.TDLong1999Tight End11-1911212.40322000Tight End11-105071614.3589Totals22-115982814.0589

Smith Game-by-Game Statistics

2000OpponentRec.Yds.TDLouisville6991South Florida2350Indiana7931Florida8762Ole Miss2120South Carolina2440Louisiana State3410Georgia51080Mississippi State61020Vanderbilt7871Tennessee2190Totals507165