ROUGHRIDERS ADD BRETT SMITH TO QB STABLE.
Quarterback Brett Smith was looking for an opportunity to play football and he’s grateful that he found one with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“I’ve been doing some other jobs and trying to stay training because I’ve been dreaming about getting on the field again,’’ said Smith, whose signing was officially announced by the Riders on Thursday.
“When you find a place like this, which is a great organization, the fans are passionate and the players are great players … It’s just a situation that I want to be in.’’
Smith, 22, is the fifth quarterback on Saskatchewan’s active roster. Darian Durant, who is coming off a torn tendon in his right elbow that he suffered during the 2014 season, is No. 1 on the depth chart. He’s followed by Kevin Glenn, Tino Sunseri, Seth Doege and Smith.
Smith, who played collegiately at the University of Wyoming from 2011 through 2013, has already studied Saskatchewan’s depth chart.
“I already knew about Darian Durant before I signed there and that he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league,’’ said Smith, who spent six weeks on the Toronto Argonauts’ practice roster in 2014. “To be able to learn from a guy like that — a veteran who has overcome a lot and has been able to make a name for himself when people said he couldn’t — is pretty cool. It will be great learning from him. It’s the same deal with Kevin Glenn.’’
Smith has followed the CFL because B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay hails from a town near Smith’s hometown of West Salem, Ore.
“There aren’t any professional quarterbacks from where I was from,’’ Smith said. “(Lulay) was a guy who I paid attention to. I paid attention to the game. I love to watch quarterbacks and to learn from them.’’
Smith completed 751 of 1,212 passes for 8,834 yards and a school-record 76 touchdowns during his career with the Cowboys.
He also rushed for 1,531 yards and 20 touchdowns on 378 attempts and was named the Mountain West Conference’s freshman of the year in 2011.
Smith elected to forgo his senior season with the Cowboys and declared for the 2014 NFL draft. He wasn’t selected and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May. He was released before training camp and signed with the Argonauts in July.
“I don’t look back much,’’ Smith said of his decision to leave school early. “I was hoping that I would get more opportunities through the draft process. When I initially declared, I thought there would be more opportunities to showcase my talents. When I didn’t get invited to the combine, I didn’t get a lot of workouts and that’s how my story goes.
“I just want to get back and start playing again. I don’t try to think if that one year would have made a significant difference to my draft stock or not.
“I’m just focused on the now. I’ve found a team that believes in me and that’s what I want.’’
Smith, 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, has been working out with a CFL football while training in Houston. His first opportunity to meet some of his new teammates will take place April 10-12 when the Riders conduct their mini-camp in Bradenton, Fla.
“I’m going in to compete, as I always do,’’ Smith said. “Whatever opportunities are presented to me, I’m going to take.
“As far as my role, that’s up to the coaches because I don’t know what they are thinking. I’m just going to compete and be the best teammate that I can be.’’