Willie Smith
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inducted 2023 |
One of the first major contributors to the University of Miami’s national reputation as “Tight End U,” Willie Smith earned First Team All-American honors in 1985 from the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press, and Kodak.
Smith left Miami as one of the school’s most prolific offensive players, finishing with 1,521 yards – third-most in Hurricanes history at the time of his departure - and 114 catches over his career. Smith caught a then-single game-record 12 passes against Maryland in 1984 (including two touchdowns), a mark equaled in 2012 by Phillip Dorsett, and he also posted games with 10 and 11 catches, which rank among
the handful of double-digit reception games in Miami football history. Fellow University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum member Wesley Carroll is the only other receiver with three of the top-12 single game receiving performances in Miami history.
Smith notched 152 yards on 11 catches against the rival Florida Gators in a win in Tampa in 1984, marking one of the finest performances in program history. His 66 catches in 1984 was the most in school history at the time and still ranks third 37 seasons later, and his 852 yards receiving in 1984 was second in school history at that time. A member of The U’s first national championship team, the 1983 squad led by UMSHOF&M members Coach Howard Schnellenberger, quarterback Bernie Kosar, and linebacker Jay Brophy, Smith was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 10th round of the 1986 NFL Draft.
Smith was ranked as the top prep player in the Jacksonville area and earned All-State honors out of Jacksonville Englewood High School. He was chosen to the state All-Star game and was named first-team All-State as a junior defensive back and second-team All-State as a senior wide receiver. A talented multi-sport athlete, Smith was also named All-State in basketball and track and field.
Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Miami and has four sons: Sean, Eric Dillan, Trey, and Chase.
Smith left Miami as one of the school’s most prolific offensive players, finishing with 1,521 yards – third-most in Hurricanes history at the time of his departure - and 114 catches over his career. Smith caught a then-single game-record 12 passes against Maryland in 1984 (including two touchdowns), a mark equaled in 2012 by Phillip Dorsett, and he also posted games with 10 and 11 catches, which rank among
the handful of double-digit reception games in Miami football history. Fellow University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum member Wesley Carroll is the only other receiver with three of the top-12 single game receiving performances in Miami history.
Smith notched 152 yards on 11 catches against the rival Florida Gators in a win in Tampa in 1984, marking one of the finest performances in program history. His 66 catches in 1984 was the most in school history at the time and still ranks third 37 seasons later, and his 852 yards receiving in 1984 was second in school history at that time. A member of The U’s first national championship team, the 1983 squad led by UMSHOF&M members Coach Howard Schnellenberger, quarterback Bernie Kosar, and linebacker Jay Brophy, Smith was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 10th round of the 1986 NFL Draft.
Smith was ranked as the top prep player in the Jacksonville area and earned All-State honors out of Jacksonville Englewood High School. He was chosen to the state All-Star game and was named first-team All-State as a junior defensive back and second-team All-State as a senior wide receiver. A talented multi-sport athlete, Smith was also named All-State in basketball and track and field.
Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Miami and has four sons: Sean, Eric Dillan, Trey, and Chase.
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