Darrell Smith tabbed DIII Offensive Player of the Year
Charlotte, NC – DuPage (IL) running back Darrell Smith has been named the 2021 NJCAA Division III Football Offensive Player of the Year, presented by the Marines.
Over 11 games, Smith led DuPage's rushing core which topped the national leaderboards in four major categories. Smith, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, led the nation with 914 rushing yards this season and ranked second in yards per rush (7.0).
Smith's season-long efforts were integral to the Chaparrals claiming the first-ever NJCAA Division III National Championship title with a 34-29 win over second-ranked Nassau (NY). In the final game, Smith rushed for 170 yards on 21 carries including a 76-yard run for a touchdown in the second quarter to put DuPage up 14-0.
Smith posted a season-best 175 yards over 18 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per carry, during the Chaparrals' 44-28 win over Divison I Ellsworth on November 19. In addition to the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year award, Smith was honored as an NJCAA Division III All-America First Team selection.
Player Profile
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 197
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Godfrey, IL
2021 Statistics
- 11 games played
- 914 yards
- 83.1 yards per game
- 7.0 yards per rush
- 4 touchdowns
