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2015 Football Roster

Ric Kruszynski
Richard Svaleson
Richard Svaleson
Luke Lu
Luke Lu
Richard Svaleson
Dennis Hubbard
Dennis Hubbard
Ric Kruszynski
Matt Strasen

6 CJ Smith

  • Position Cornerback
  • Height 5-11
  • Weight 188
  • Class Senior
  • Hometown Savage, Minn.
  • High School Burnsville HS

Biography

* 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
* 2015 All-MVFC First Team
* 2013 All-MVFC Honorable Mention
* 2014, 2015 MVFC Honor Roll


Underrated performer with tremendous ball skills who was one of the top shut-down cornerbacks in the FCS despite only one all-conference selection...Played in 58 of 61 possible career games including 44 starts and was part of five straight NCAA Division I championship teams...Finished his career fourth in FCS history (since 2000) with 57 passes defended, second in NDSU history behind only three-time All-American and NFL cornerback Marcus Williams.

2015 SEASON (SENIOR): All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team selection...One of five NDSU team captains...Started 13 games, missing the regular season opener at Montana and the regular season finale against Missouri State...Led the Missouri Valley Football Conference and ranked eighth in the FCS with 1.54 passes defended per game...Had 16 pass breakups and four interceptions...Ranked fourth in NDSU single-season history with 20 passes defended...Came on strong in the FCS playoffs with eight pass breakups and two interceptions, including a pick-six in the second round victory over Montana...Totaled 38 tackles with one forced fumble, one sack, and three tackles for loss...Had a season-high seven tackles in the win at Southern Illinois…Named to the MVFC Honor Roll.

2014 SEASON (JUNIOR): Started 15 games at cornerback, missing only the Missouri State game due to a knee injury...Led the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 17 pass breakups, the most by an NDSU player since Gunar Gossard's 18 breakups in 1995...Ranked fourth overall in the MVFC with 1.20 passes defended per game...Defended a pass in 10 of 15 games played...Finished with 47 tackles...Career-high nine tackles at Weber State including five solo stops...Had three pass breakups plus an interception at South Dakota...NDSU's top punt returner...Averaged 11.8 yards on 15 punt returns with a long of 48 yards against Indiana State...Named to the MVFC Honor Roll.

2013 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Honorable mention to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team…Made all 15 starts at cornerback…Totaled 42 tackles and led the MVFC with 15 pass breakups…Ranked 14th nationally and second in the league with 1.2 passes defended per game…Made three interceptions…Had a pass breakup and an interception two plays later with 1:10 left to secure a 24-23 home win over Northern Iowa…Had interception returns of 33 yards against Ferris State and 32 yards against Towson…Season-high seven tackles (six solos) against Furman in the NCAA second round...Had four solo stops in the season-opening win at Kansas State.
 
2012 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in all 15 games including one start against Prairie View A&M...Special teams contributor...Finished season with 12 tackles including seven solo stops...Recorded a season-high three tackles vs. South Dakota State (11-10-12) including a pair of solos and added a pass breakup.
 
2011 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as redshirt in the Bison program.
 
HIGH SCHOOL: 2011 graduate of Burnsville High School...South Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year under head coach Mark Riggs...Minnesota Vikings All-State selection...All-conference pick after rushing for 1,700 yards and 16 TDs...Three-year starter on football field, two-year starter at guard for basketball team.
 
PERSONAL: Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent in May 2016...Graduated from NDSU in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in sports management and a minor in business administration…Plans to pursue a graduate degree in education after his playing career...Son of Charles Smith, and Jackie McQuerry, Savage, Minn....Has two sisters, Jasmine and Chasity.

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 28

    2011Freshman

    Cornerback
    5'11" 175 lbs
    28
  • 6

    2012Redshirt Freshman

    Cornerback
    5'11" 181 lbs
    6
  • 6

    2013Sophomore

    Cornerback
    5'11" 183 lbs
    6
  • 6

    2014Junior

    Cornerback
    5'11" 185 lbs
    6
  • 6

    2015Senior

    Cornerback
    5'11" 188 lbs
    6