De’Veon Smith played 4 years for Michigan from 2013 to 2016. His numbers improved each year rushing for the Wolverines. His best year came as a Senior in 2016 when he carried the ball 181 times for 846 yards and 10 TDs. Over his career at Ann Arbor, he posted a line of 495 carries for 2235 yards and 22 TDs. Smith was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins and made the practice squad after a good preseason. It looked like there he’d stay for the foreseeable future until the Dolphins traded starting runningback Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles. Later in the week the team elevated De’Veon off of the practice squad to the regular season roster.
I hate it when I do a redemption and it takes 5 months to get it. I was really at the point with Panini where I requested a replacement autograph, but their ‘new and improved’ redemption/ customer service system leaves much to be desired. Randomly I got a message that the card was on the way and two days later I got the autograph. Well it is a very nice looking card and De’Veon’s autograph is quality looking for sure. The timing was nearly perfect in the sense that it matched with Smith being elevated off of the practice squad. He caught 3 passes for 27 yards during the regular season, but was not tendered after the season by the Dolphins. Currently he is a free agent.
Ricky Seals-Jones originally committed to the University of Texas as the #1 WR in the nation, but had a change of heart and went to A&M instead, because the Longhorns wanted him to focus on just football and not basketball too. At 6’5″, 243, with good blood lines (he’s a cousin of Eric Dickerson), Seals-Jones caught 123 passes for 1442 yards and 10 TDs during his time at A&M. After his Junior year in 2016, he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. He was not selected and signed with the Arizona Cardinals. With good size and a considered an effective blocker, it looks like Seals-Jones would be making the switch to tight end at the pro level.
He started on the practice squad in 2017 and was elevated to the regular team roster around mid-season. Ricky caught his first two professional touchdowns against the Houston Texans.
Tony Conner played strong safety for Ole Miss. He had standout years as a Freshman and as a Sophomore, earning Freshman All-American Honors. After starting 28 consecutive games for the Rebels, Conner had a knee injury and two surgeries that limited he to five games in his junior season. Tony rebounded in 2016 and started all 12 games for Ole Miss as a senior. An in the box safety who is a good tackler and run supporter, Tony had only two interceptions and 13 pass breakups over his career at Ole Miss. He went unselected during the 2017 NFL Draft.
Tony was given a tryout at minicamp by the 49ers and the team moved him to linebacker. He was invited to camp after that but did not make the squad. Tony might make a nice fit for one of the new spring leagues picking up steam in the next two years- as at this time he is a free agent.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: Panini Contenders 2017
