Football | 1/27/2015 2:55:00 PM

     The Potsdam Royals, a team in the North German Football League, have announced the signing of Dayton's redshirt senior wide receiver Ross Smith.

     In a phone interview, Smith wanted "to thank the whole Dayton community, from my coaches, to my teammates, to the school. They have all helped me to grow and develop as an individual to get up to this point."

     Smith was a three year starter for the Flyers after transferring to Dayton following his freshman year at Holy Cross. Over the course of his Dayton career, Smith hauled in 118 passes for 1,365 yards and nine touchdowns, seven of which came in 2014, leading all Dayton receivers.

     He was named to the All-PFL honorable mention team and is a three time member of the PFL Academic Honor Roll.

     Smith is excited for this opportunity to continue playing the game he loves but says he's going to miss the moments in the locker room with his teammates and brothers.

     "Dayton football is a family," Smith said. "We aren't always the best athletes but we're always the toughest, hardest workers with the most heart. After a tough loss or a hard practice, being able to go back to the locker room and just be around your brothers, joking around and enjoying each other, I'm going to miss that."

     Smith has already begun his training stateside and will leave to join the team in March. The Royals will play their first game in April. Former Dayton defensive end Devon Langhorst ('11) also recently played on the team.


Written by Christopher Topp, University of Dayton Athletics Communication Student, Class of 2018