TicketsSept. 13, 2009
CINCINNATI - Former University of Cincinnati student-athlete DeAngelo Smith was claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Browns this week, placing him on the team's final 53-man roster entering the 2009 season.
Smith was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys, but was one of the team's final cuts.
Smith, who played at both cornerback and safety in 2008, was tied for the national lead with 13 interceptions in 2007. He tallied 53 tackles in 2008, along with 3.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of interceptions. He also added 10 pass break ups and a forced fumble.
Trevor Canfield and Mike Mickens, both seventh-round draft picks in 2009, were signed to the practice squads of the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
Canfield was an Associated Press Second-Team all-America selection in 2008, the first UC offensive lineman to earn a spot on the AP team since Bill Shalosky earned honorable mention honors in 1952. Canfield started 39-straight games on the offensive line and helped lead a group that helped Cincinnati average over 370 yards of total offense per game in 2008. He was a second-team all-BIG EAST honoree for the third-straight season.
Mickens, a 2008 First-Team All-BIG EAST selection, put together a solid year despite missing the final three regular-season games with a knee injury. He tied for second on the team with 70 tackles, including two for a loss. He has a team-high four interceptions, including a 72-yard runback for a touchdown against Miami (OH). He led the BIG EAST with 14 passes defended. He holds the school records for career interceptions (14) and interception return yards (296). He started 46-consecutive games at cornerback before being injured practice prior to the Pittsburgh game on Nov. 22.
He earned three all-America honors following the season, being named a second-team Walter Camp honoree and a third-team selection by the Associated Press and Rivals.com.
Fifteen former UC players dot the rosters of the NFL as the 2009 season kicks off on Sept. 13.