Shay Smith

Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2025) Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medalist (2025) 2024 (FRESHMAN) Played in four games. Threw for 20 yards on a 3-of-3 passing and found the end zone on a rushing touchdown. Went 2-of-2 for 14 yards at Nebraska. Saw action at Liberty with a rush attempt. Played on special teams at WKU. Tallied a six-yard completion on only pass attempt and scored a TD on a three-yard rush in a win over Kennesaw State. PRIOR TO UTEP Three-star QB according to 247Sports.com who thrived at multiple positions during his prep career at Franklin HS. Named the District 1-6A Offensive Athlete of the Year in 2023. Dual-threat player who as a senior passed for 1,750 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,195 yards and 20 touchdowns. Was 14-24 for 255 yards and three TDs in a 29-17 win against Centennial. Followed that up by racking up 248 passing yards and three more TDs in a 50-8 drubbing of Andress. Also threw for multiple touchdown passes against Montwood and Eastlake. Torched Eastlake for 220 rushing yards on 20 carries and a TD. Ran for at least 130 yards in the final six games of the season. Efforts helped keep his squad in the playoff race down the stretch in spite of injuries to several key offensive players. Compiled 2,569 passing yards for 31 TDs and only eight interceptions as a junior. Completed 202-309 (65.3 percent) attempts. Enjoyed a trio of 300-yard passing games that season, including going 32-52 for 338 yards and three touchdowns against Centennial. Connected on 21-28 passes for 307 yards and five scores vs. Coronado. Recorded 316 passing yards while hitting 20-32 against Eastlake. Registered three or more touchdown passes in seven tilts. Also ran for 1,076 yards and 11 TDs. Gained 223 yards and scored three TDs on only 14 attempts against Eastwood. Registered two other 100-yard rushing contests on the season. Hard-nosed player who competed as a linebacker in 2021, registering 77 tackles (40 solo), three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Credited with a career-high 14 tackles (six solo) vs. Eastwood. The ensuing week, posted 11 tackles (nine solo stops) against Eastlake. Notched 13 tackles (six solo) in the season finale vs. Americas. Served as a punter in multiple seasons as well. Also competed in track & field, doing the 200m and long jump. Honorable-Mention Academic All-State honoree. Father, Paul, played four years at UTEP (1996-99) … rushed for more than 1,200 yards while scoring 12 touchdowns in 1999 before spending eight years (2000-07) in the NFL.