FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Former Wahpeton High School and North Dakota State University football standout Ryan Smith is continuing his career north of the border.
The 5-foot-7, 175-pound receiver has signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Details of the contract weren’t released.
Smith caught 147 passes for 1,783 yards and eight touchdowns during his four years at NDSU. He also had 271 yards and three touchdowns on 32 rushing attempts.
Smith also returned punts and kickoffs for the Bison. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second team in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was a big part of NDSU’s three straight Football Championship Subdivision titles.
In high school, Smith was a two-time All-State selection. He holds nine school records, including rushing yards in a season (2,781) and touchdowns in a season (40), according to the Daily News in Wahpeton.
Smith told the newspaper that a pro career has always been a dream.
“It just shows that if you work your butt off, hard work pays off. It’s crazy. It’s just really crazy,” Smith said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to play football again. That’s all I was asking for the whole time - another opportunity.”
The Roughriders are the defending Grey Cup champions. Former Bismarck High and University of North Dakota standout Weston Dressler was a receiver for the team for six seasons. He’s now pursuing an NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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