He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft after he played college football at Louisville.
Smith attended James S. Rickards High School in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was a two-sport star, excelling in football and track.
In his senior year, he tallied over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big Bend Area honors.
In his true freshman season at Louisville, Smith appeared in 12 games and rushed 18 times for 131 yards and one touchdown.
Although Gates and Shelton had left for the 2005 NFL draft, Smith spent the 2005 season as backup to Michael Bush.
Expected to play a backup role again in 2006, Smith became the starting tailback after Bush suffered a season-ending injury to his tibia.
[5] His first career NFL start was on November 25, 2007, due to injuries to Larry Johnson and the retirement of Priest Holmes.
[12][13] Smith is a cousin of Mike Brown, a strong safety who spent most of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears.