Running back transfer Deion Smith joins football program

PROVO, Utah – University of Colorado graduate transfer running back Deion Smith has signed with BYU football.

Smith, a 6-foot, 190-pound tailback out of Houston, spent five years with Colorado, earning his degree as a strategic communication design major before coming to Provo. He received National Football Foundation Academic Team honorable mention in 2021. 

Smith played in 34 games for the Buffaloes, making five starts at running back. He totaled 159 carries, 653 yards and four touchdowns in his career at Colorado. Smith also posted 20 career receptions for 133 yards. 

Last season, Smith was the Buffs' leading rusher with 83 carries, 393 yards and two touchdowns. Smith ran for a career-best 111 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against Arizona State.

In 2021, Smith was Colorado's third-leading rusher, playing all 12 games with 53 attempts for 208 yards and two touchdowns and added five receptions for 21 yards.

Smith missed the 2020 season but played in all 12 games in 2019 after redshirting in 2018. While playing mostly on special teams, Smith added 23 carries and 68 yards with four receptions and 28 yards.

Smith prepped at Second Baptist High School in Houston where he was ranked No. 52 among running backs nationally by ESPN. He ran for 783 yards over just five games as a senior after racking up 1,223 yards on the ground as a junior. 

Also a track athlete, Smith was first in his district in the 100-meter dash and second in the state with a top time of 10.64 in addition to competing in the high jump. 

Smith's mother, Pamela Roberson, played basketball at New Mexico State where she earned All-High Country Athletic Conference honorable mention in 1984, while his older sister, Deamber Smith, was on the volleyball team at the University of Indianapolis.