Smagala grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended St. Laurence High School, where he practiced football, wrestling and track.
As a senior running back, he posted 140 carries for 900 rushing yards and received All-city honors.
Because the school played one of the toughest schedules in the nation, he covered some of the best college wide receivers like Andre Rison, Michael Irvin, Brian Blades, Brett Perriman, Reggie Rembert and Greg McMurtry.
His most famous play was a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown against the number 2 ranked University of Southern California in 1988.
[4] On September 23, 1990, he suffered a broken left forearm while helping force a fumble against the Washington Redskins and was placed on the injured reserve list.