COLUMBUS, Ohio — When running back Rod Smith was dismissed from the Ohio State football program in October, it’s likely most thought his football career was over. He was a senior, so the idea of a transfer was out the window. But apparently Smith did enough to impress NFL scouts in the time between his dismissal from the Buckeyes and the NFL Draft to earn a shot in the pros. Smith signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, one of 12 undrafted players Seattle brought in after last weekend’s draft. Ohio State had five players drafted over the weekend, another three signed undrafted free agent deals shortly after the draft. Nobody thought Smith would be added to the list of Buckeyes getting a shot in the NFL. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native, came to Ohio State in the 2010 recruiting class, a four-star prospect rated the No. 6 running back in the country. He had the credentials and look of a potential big-time back at Ohio State, but instead Smith’s career became defined more by his struggles off the field. Smith missed the team flight to the Gator Bowl as a redshirt freshman after the 2011 season. He missed time during the spring before his senior season for academic reasons, and Urban Meyer said he thought Smith was on his way off the team then. But Smith bounced back, impressing on special teams to the point that Meyer took time to show the media an 11-second block Smith held on a punt against Navy last season. He was dismissed from the football program about a month later for undisclosed reasons. “He’s had issues since he’s been at Ohio State,” Meyer said after Smith’s dismissal. “We’re gonna do the best we can. He’s gonna graduate, I think he’s on schedule for the summer. It’s disappointing but we wish him well.” Smith finished his with 549 yards on 107 carries with eight touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Buckeyes offensive tackle Darryl Baldwin, linebacker Curtis Grant and defensive end Steve Miller also signed undrafted free agent deals. …
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