Rodney Smith

Running BackRB
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Rodney Smith in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
Decent effort in final game
January 2, 2020
Smith rushed 16 times for 69 yards and hauled in a pass for eight yards during Wednesday's Rose Bowl versus Auburn.
ANALYSIS
Smith's rushing output was just enough for him to surpass his previous career-high output of 1,158 yards dating back to the 2016 season, though he didn't come anywhere near the 16 rushing scores he racked up that year. The senior averaged a career-high 5.1 yards per attempt in 2019 and will now turn his sights toward the 2020 NFL Draft.
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2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2019 CFB Game Log
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2018 CFB Game Log
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2017 CFB Game Log
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Golden Gophers Depth Chart
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2018
2017
2016
The least efficient of the three Gophers tailbacks to receive significant reps in the backfield during 2017, Smith still managed 4.27 yards per carry last season on 229 rushes, falling just short of the 1,000-yard mark at 977. Kobe McCrary graduated following 2017 and Shannon Brooks suffered a season-ending lower-leg injury during winter workouts that will prevent him from playing in 2018. As a result, the backfield should essentially belong to Smith during 2018. With three returning starters on the offensive line and just three of the two-deep lineman from a season ago leaving, his numbers could improve again as a senior. Any semblance of a passing game could assist his cause as well, though the starting signal-caller for 2018 won't be determined until fall camp.
We’re entering Year 3 of the Smith and Shannon Brooks tandem in the Minnesota backfield, and a new quarterback under center could lead to an even larger emphasis on the ground game. In 2015, Brooks (5.96 YPC) was decidedly more explosive than Smith (4.27), but Smith was more of the big play back last season, averaging 4.83 YPC over a grueling 240 carries. Both Smith and Brooks should see plenty of work this season, but we give the lean to Smith in terms of being the true workhorse behind a massive Minnesota offensive line. A healthy Brooks may cut into Smith’s overall workload to an extent, but Smith should still push for 200+ carries and double-digit touchdowns.
Although senior Rodrick Williams was expected to get the first real crack at locking down the starting running back role, Smith quickly ascended the pecking order in the Minnesota backfield last season. Smith, a redshirt freshman in 2015, led the Gophers in carries with 157 while running for 670 yards. Both Smith and fellow freshman Shannon Brooks combined to be a formidable one-two punch out of the backfield as both backs topped 650 yards on the ground and combined for nine touchdowns. The drawback with Smith is that he does not possess Brooks’ explosiveness as Brooks bested his yards per carry by nearly two full yards (Smith 4.3 YPC, Brooks 6.0 YPC). Still, Smith should have a healthy amount of carries in Minnesota’s offense this year. The primary concern will be his touchdown chances given that Brooks will likely get the first crack at those and quarterback Mitch Leidner is a threat on the ground running the read option in short-yardage situations.
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Season-low day versus Wisconsin
December 1, 2019
Smith rushed a team-high 11 times for just 31 yards Saturday against Wisconsin.
ANALYSIS
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Slow week again versus Hawkeyes
November 18, 2019
Smith rushed 14 times for just 46 yards and a touchdown and caught one of his two targets for four yards Saturday versus Iowa.
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Held in check by Penn State
November 11, 2019
Smith ran a team-high 18 times for just 51 yards Saturday against Penn State.
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Fifth straight week over 100 yards
October 27, 2019
Smith ran 17 times for 103 yards and a touchdown Saturday against Penn State.
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Continues torrid pace
October 22, 2019
Smith ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries Saturday against Rutgers.
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