Tag Archives: donruss rookies & stars 2009

CFL, NFL

Smith, Kevin (RB)

Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, #34

CARDS: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, Score 2009, Panini Prestige 2009, Score 2010
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Work
SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 11/2 (16 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played RB for the UCF Knights from 2004-07.
  • After redshirt season, ran for 4,679 yards over next 3 years.
  • Senior year ran for a school record 2,567 yards and 29 TDs, along with 242 yards on 24 catches.
  • His 450 carries in his Senior year shattered the previous single season college mark held by Marcus Allen, and his 2,567 yards rushing were third all-time.
  • Selected at the top of the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
  • Had solid debut rookie season with Detroit rushing for 976 yards and 8 rushing TDs in 12 starts- 1,200 yards from scrimmage.
  • Ran for 747 yards on 217 carries in 2009, logging a career high 41 receptions for 415 yards in 2009.
  • Tore ACL near end of season, after 13 starts.
  • Injury sidelined Smith through early 2010, but the Lions had already moved on to Jahvid Best.
  • Lions allowed Smith to test free agency in 2011, but when Best was sidelined with second concussion of season, they resigned Kevin.
  • Smith returned to form with a 140 yard, 2 TD effort, in comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers.
  • Suffered ankle injury the following week and was not retained at end of season.
  • Joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in 2014, but was released after a few days.
  • Has climbed the college coaching ranks ever since, starting at his Alma Mater UCF in 2015.
  • Then it was Florida Atlantic in 2018, and Ole Miss, where I got his autograph in 2020.
  • As of 2023 Kevin is the RB coach at the University of Miami, FL.
Score 2009, #98
Panini Prestige 2010, #68

NOTES:

Kevin has a lot of great cards, and hit all my favorite sets from this period. His Score and Donruss cards really hit the mark for me. Kevin’s one of those players where if he didn’t see all that wear and tear on his body I think he would’ve gone on to have a fabulous NFL career- but such is the pro life.

Score 2010, #98
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CFL, NFL

Harrell, Graham

  • Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, #152
  • Score 2009, #342

CARDS: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 Longevity, Score 2009
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 10/11 RECEIVED: 10/21 (10 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • QB saw action from 2005-08 for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

  • Had incredible record setting season in 2007 throwing for 5,705 yards and 48 TDs on 512 of 713 passing.

  • Finished college career with 1403 completions, 2011 attempts, 15,793 yards, 134 TDs, and just 34 interceptions.

  • Wasn’t selected coming out of the 2009 NFL draft.

  • Attended rookie camp with the Browns, and later flirted with the UFL.

  • Ultimately signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 2009.

  • Joined Packers in 2010, and saw little playing time behind Aaron Rodgers.

  • Signed and released by Jets in 2013 before regular season.

  • After successful stints working up college ranks, saw most success at UNT and then later was an OC for the USC Trojans.

ACCOLADES:

  • 2007 Sammy Baugh Trophy

  • 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

  • 2008 AT&T All-America Player of the Year

NOTES:

It’s only a matter of time before Graham is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as he holds multiple college records. Since 2009 contains quite a few sets I like, I decided to knock him out on these two cards.

NFL

Orakpo, Brian, (3)

Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, #128

CARDS: Upper Deck First Edition 2009, Donruss Rookies and Stars 2009, Score 2012, Bowman 2009 Superlatives, Upper Deck 2009 Football Heroes, Adrenalyn 2009, Photo memorabilia
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

Photo memorabilia Upper Deck First Edition 2009, #184

NOTES:

Never in my wildest dreams after seeing Ricky Williams during Spring Break of 2020, would I believe that I wouldn’t see another in person signing until September of 2021, but that is exactly what happened due to COVID. My work (at the time) sent us home- telling us they’d see us in a week or two. Our stay was extended indefinitely, eventually to a point where I never stepped foot in the office again.

Orakpo was hosting an event for a new business he was working on, Restore Wellness. I decided to have some fun and got a treatment trying out cryotherapy. It completely got rid of my joints cracking for a few days.

Bowman 2009 Draft Picks Superlatives, #S2 Upper Deck 2009 Heroes. #184

Adrenalyn 2009, #389 Score 2011, #293

We watched the UT game against TCU, and I gave a pretty accurate score. Brian signed anything and everything. I grabbed a few signed photos on my way out the door, and gave them to a few friends. I am quickly running out of cards of his. A lot of these represented set needs and likes, as the Donruss Rookies & Stars 09, and the Adrenalyn always stuck out in my mind.