Labeling Smith a "playmaker" might be putting it mildly when describing his Herculean effort during his senior year. When injuries depleted the Trojans' receiving unit early on, Smith stepped to the forefront as the team's go-to target despite battling through a nagging ankle sprain that had limited his practice sessions throughout the season.

"My mom always says, ?Don't worry about what everybody says. What matters is you and what you're doing,"" Smith said in reference to people who call him underrated. "I know my skills and abilities. That's why I was brought here. I'm excited by what I've done so far.

And scout who question his speed? "The way I run is deceiving. When people run next to me, I have speed," he said.

Born in Alaska, Smith moved to California as a youngster. At Taft High School, he earned 2002 Parade All-American (and top wide receiver), USA Today All-USA first-team, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Student Sports All-American first-team, Tom Lemming All-American and The Insiders.com All-American second-team honors. He was a member of the Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100, FOX Sports 50, Tom Lemming Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team (unanimous), Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 and Orange County Register Fab 15 first-team.

Smith was also named Cal-Hi Sports All-State Wide Receiver MVP, All-L.A. City Defensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Star first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley first-team and Los Angeles Daily News All-Area first-team as a senior wide receiver and defensive back. In 2002, he caught 86 passes for 1,362 yards (15.8 avg) and 11 touchdowns on offense and had 48 tackles, five interceptions and 13 pass deflections on defense (he did all this despite missing two games with an ankle sprain). Taft advanced to the L.A. City final for the second consecutive year in 2002.

As a junior in 2001, he was a Student Sports All-West first-team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Wide Receiver MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first-team, All-L.A. City MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Star first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley Back MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area MVP and All-League pick. He had 92 receptions for 1,612 yards (17.5 avg) and 13 touchdowns in 2001, plus 12 interceptions (tops in California) despite missing two games with a shoulder injury.

As a sophomore in 2000, he was named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State first-team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first-team, All-L.A. City first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley first-team and Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Offensive MVP. He caught 93 passes for 1,597 yards (17.2 avg) and 18 touchdowns. In his three-year varsity career, he caught 271 passes for 4,545 yards (16.8 avg), both California state records.

Smith also played basketball at Taft, earning 2002 Student Sports Grid-Hoops All-American first-team honors, as well as being a three-time All-State selection. He averaged 25.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 2002 and 26.8 points and 9.3 rebounds in 2001. He also competed in track (with a best of 10.8 in the 100-meters) at Taft. He was selected as the 2002-03 CalHiSports.com boys' California Athlete of the Year.

The Public Policy major enrolled at Southern California in 2003 and immediately became a part of the Trojans' receiving unit rotation. As the first receiver off the bench, he accounted for 319 yards and two touchdowns on 17 receptions (18.8 avg) and carried the ball once for an 8-yard gain.

In 2004, Smith started seven of eight games he played in, missing five contests after suffering a left leg fracture vs. California. He finished with 42 catches for 660 yards (15.7 avg) and six touchdowns. He also caused a fumble and made one solo tackle. His seven grabs for 113 yards vs. Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl earned Smith a spot on the CBSSportsline.com's All-Bowl team.

Smith was one of 15 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award in 2005, given to the nation's top receiver. The All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention started eight of 13 games at flanker. He ranked second on the squad with 60 receptions for 957 yards (15.9 avg) and five touchdowns, adding 11 yards on a pair of reverses. Smith had thoughts of applying for the 2006 NFL Draft, but decided to return to school in 2006 to improve his draft status.

Despite an almost season-long ankle problem, Smith ranked third in the Pac-10 Conference and 18th in the nation with an average of 83.31 yards per game receiving. He also ranked third in the league and tied for 24th nationally with an average of 5.46 catches per game. He led the team with a career-high 71 receptions for 1,083 yards (15.3 avg) and nine touchdowns. What makes those totals even more remarkable is that he was working with an inexperienced quarterback (John David Booty) and faced constant double coverage, especially during the absence of fellow receiver Dwayne Jarrett (shoulder) from the lineup for several games.

In 46 games at Southern California, Smith started 27 times. He ranks fifth in school history with 190 receptions, fourth with 3,019 yards (15.9 avg) and sixth with 22 touchdowns. During their career together, Smith and Jarrett have accounted for 63 of the team's touchdown catches and both caught a touchdown pass in the same game 10 times. Smith also boasts nine 100-yard performances for his career.

Positives: Has good upper body muscle definition with an adequate bubble, thick calves, tight waist and abdomen … Has good initial quickness and builds to top speed smoothly, using proper hand technique to defeat the jam and prevent from being rerouted … Runs with good balance and displays loose hips to change direction … Is a student of the game, putting in the extra hours after practice and in the film room … Has shown marked improvement in his training habits, adding needed strength and bulk to his frame before his senior year … Tough athlete who will play through pain … Shows a smooth running stride and the plant-and-drive agility to cut quickly … Has the loose hips to deliver good shake-and-bake moves in attempts to elude … Uses an effective veer move to get into his patterns and is alert to find the soft spots in the zone to settle under … Glides in and out of his breaks … Has the vision to recognize coverages and is alert to sideline markers … Does a good job of working back to the ball when the quarterback is pressured … Used mostly on hitches, out patterns and underneath, as he has the body control to adjust to the ball in flight, especially when being used on hitches and curls … Has good knee bend coming out of his breaks to get to his catch point and despite average speed, he can get down the seam smoothly … Has made some improvement in extending his arms to catch away from his frame … Best when used on controlled routes, where he can better use his agility to scoop up the low throws and make the tough grab … Tracks the ball well in flight and is effective at looking the ball in with a defender behind him … Relies more on his leg drive to break tackles and separate rather than an explosive second gear … Better blocker up field, as he can sink his weight, keep his pads down and attack second level blockers … Quick off the line and has the hip snap and transition burst to come out of his breaks with no loss in acceleration … Very alert to defensive coverage and is quick to eat up the cushion working vs. the zone … Has the ability to stay focused tracking the ball in a crowd, showing no flinch when defenders are zeroing in on his jersey … Has the ease-of-movement agility to catch the ball without breaking stride … Has the head fakes and hip snap to sell the route and separate after the catch.

Negatives: Quick off the line, but does not have that explosive second gear needed to elude in the deep secondary … Showed improvement in 2006, but needs to maintain consistency using his hands to escape the jam (struggled in the past when he failed to get his arms up to push off the defensive back) … Best on sidelines and curls, as he does not have the power to prevent from getting bounced around when trying to compete for the ball in a crowd over the middle … Rounds and gathers on cuts at times … Has made strides in extending for the ball away from his frame, but when he body catches, he will double catch or drop the ball, especially when going over the middle … Shows good veer in his route, but has yet to display that second gear needed to instantly separate from the defender … Good second level blocker, but does not have the sand in the pants to sustain when asked to block along the line.

Compares To: BOBBY ENGRAM-Seattle-neither player is known as a speed burner, but if a lethargic defender gives Smith any space to create, he more than likely will come up with the big play. Both play with a blue-collar work ethic, but given more than a few touches they will move the chains with regularity.

Smith ranks fifth in school history with 190 receptions, topped only by Dwayne Jarrett (216, 2004-06), Keary Colbert (207, 2000-03), Kareem Kelly (204, 1999-2002) and Johnnie Morton (201, 1990-93) … His 3,019 yards receiving rank fourth in Southern California annals behind Morton (3,201 yards), Jarrett (3.138) and Kelly (3,104) … Became the sixth receiver in school history to catch 20 touchdown passes (22) in a career, joining Jarrett (Pac-10 record 41 scores), Keyshawn Johnson (30, 1994-95), Morton (23), R. Jay Soward (23, 1996-99) and Hal Bedsole (20, 1961-63) … Smith's 258 yards receiving vs. Oregon State in 2006 is two shy of the school single-game record of 260 by Soward vs. UCLA in 1996 (double overtime). It also ranks eighth in Pac-10 Conference history behind Soward, Mike Haas of Oregon State (293 vs. Boise State, 2004), Wesley Walker of California (289 vs. San Jose State, 1976), Jeremy McDaniel of Arizona (283 vs. California, 1996-four overtimes), Troy Walters of Stanford (278 vs. UCLA, 1999), Ron Fair of Arizona State (277 vs. Washington State, 1989) and J.J. Stokes of UCLA (263 vs. Southern California, 1992) … Gained 1,083 yards receiving in 2006, joining Jarrett (1,015) in becoming the third tandem in school history to gain more than 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, joining Mike Williams (1,265) and Colbert (1,029) in 2002, as Williams (1,314) and Colbert (1,013) repeated it again in 2003.

All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report … Smith ranked third in the conference and 18th in the nation with an average of 83.31 yards receiving a game … Finished third in the Pac-10 and 24th nationally with an average of 5.46 receptions per game … Despite playing with a nagging first degree left ankle sprain, he led the team with 71 receptions for 1,083 yards (16.6 avg) and a career-high nine touchdowns … His 71 catches rank sixth and his 1,083 yards rank seventh on the school's season-record list … Gained over 100 yards receiving in three contests, including 258 vs. Oregon State, the second-best game total in school history … Of the 101 passes targeted to Smith, five were deflected by the opposition … Converted 13-of-26 third-down plays and 6-of-9 fourth down catches into first downs, finishing with 48 first downs among his 71 receptions … Sixteen of those catches were for 20 yards or longer, as Smith snared 8-of-11 passes thrown to him inside the red zone … Had big plays that set up fourteen touchdown drives and five others that ended with field goals … Fumbled once, but also recovered a fumble.

Arkansas … Smith opened the season with five catches for 67 yards in a 50-14 victory. Four of his grabs were good for first downs, including one on a third-down play … His first two catches for the year produced first downs on 15 & 12-yard tosses from John David Booty that set up a USC 44-yard field goal in the second quarter … He added a 22-yarder for a first down at the start of the second half … Midway through the third quarter, he fumbled a toss from Booty, but USC recovered the ball at the USC 20. Booty went back to Smith on a third-&-10 play during that drive and Smith converted that throw into an 18-yard gain … Head to Head Competition-CB#4-Matteral Richardson-Six tackles (4 solos).

Nebraska … Smith snatched six passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in a 28-10 win, as four of his receptions produced first downs, including one on a fourth-down play … QB John David Booty found Steve with a fourth-&-1 toss for 6 yards and a first down, as the Trojans had 15 yards tacked on to the play when a Nebraska defender (Andre Jones) was penalized for grabbing Smith's face mask … The USC flanker then grabbed a 3-yard touch-down pass from Booty on a crossing route to end a 71-yard, 11-play drive … Head to Head Competition-CB#25-Andre Jones-Seven tackles (5 solos), one pass deflection.

Arizona … A left ankle sprain limited Smith's playing time, as he was held to only one catch for 9 yards (missed catching four other balls thrown to him), but he made a key play when he recovered a fumble after fellow receiver Chris McFoy dropped the ball after a 2-yard catch and Steve pounced on the pigskin at the Arizona 46 midway through the fourth quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#5-Antoine Cason-Twelve tackles (10 solos), one interception for 17 yards, one pass deflection.

Washington State … With All-America Dwayne Jarrett out, Southern California's other receiver was happy to pick up the slack. "I knew it was my time," Steve Smith said. The often-overlooked senior had a career-high eleven catches for 186 yards and two second-half touchdowns, leading the third-ranked Trojans to a 28-22 decision. "Steve Smith just rose to the occasion," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He had a fantastic game." … Smith continually converted key third- and fourth-down plays while getting walloped by the charged up Cougars' defense. The hits and big plays left Smith with dreams of Miami - which no one has even confused with landlocked Pullman. "It feel good, similar to the (2005) Orange Bowl game when I had a couple of big-time touchdowns," Smith said of three scores that tied an Orange Bowl record and buried Oklahoma … After dropping a third-&-8 pass from John David Booty on the team's first series, Smith got down to work. His 30-yard reception midway through the first quarter set up Booty's 7-yard scoring lob to Chris McFoy … Smith added 8 & 49-yarders, both good for first downs, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by Chauncey Washington to finish a 7-play, 80-yard second quarter drive …

He added a 20-yard catch on a third-&-6 hitch pass from Booty later in the first half … In the third quarter, he drew cornerback Husain Abdullah into a pass interference penalty, then beat the defender for 12 & 13-yard grabs before leaving Abdullah grabbing at air on a 7-yard scoring reception to complete a 9-play, 99-yard drive … After off-setting penalties on a fourth quarter drive, Smith snared a third-&-3 pass for 16 yards, a fourth-&-2 lob for 2 yards and a third-&-6 screen for 15 yards before Booty threw an 11-yard touchdown to Steve that capped an 83-yard, 17-play drive that gave USC a 28-15 lead with 5:52 left in the game … "I'm just a playmaker," Smith said of a team that has had plenty of those in recent years. "We feel we can be as explosive as those offenses were those other years." … For his performance, Smith was named Pac-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week …

Record Watch-Smith's eleven receptions rank eighth on the school's game-record list …

Head to Head Competition-CB#23-Husain Abdullah-Seven tackles (4 solos).

Washington … Smith sat out the fourth quarter with a sprained left ankle (first degree) and Dwayne Jarrett sat out the second half when his sore shoulder flared up, but before Smith left, he caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Three of his grabs produced first downs, with one on a third-down play and another on fourth-down … Reserve QB Michael McDonald's 20-yard touchdown pass to Smith on a fake field goal on the Trojans' first possession put USC ahead to stay. The Trojans went up 7-0 with a 96-yard drive the first time they had the ball, culminating with McDonald's pass to Smith. The fake field goal caught Washington completely off guard. When the Trojans' opening drive stalled with a fourth-&-9 at the Washington 20, the USC field goal unit trotted onto the field. McDonald, a redshirt junior who is the Trojans' holder, took the snap, whirled and threw to Smith, who was all alone on the right sideline. McDonald had passed only once in his college career - for a touchdown during mop-up time in a lopsided win last season … Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham talked about the fake field goal, "What we were trying to determine was where was the origin of the player (Steve Smith), on the field or off. And was the alignment correct? I give them credit. It was a good call and seemed to be executed very well." … Smith also set up a Mario Danelo 25-yard field goal with a 51-yard catch of a third-&-14 seam pass from John David Booty in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#6-Matt Fountaine-Nine tackles (8 solos).

Arizona State … Smith re-injured his ankle in the fourth quarter, limiting him to one catch for 12 yards on a third-&-7 play in the first quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#8-Jahi Walter-White-No tackles, one pass deflection, 37-yard interception return.

Oregon State … Despite tweaking his ankle injury twice during the game and seeing his team's national championship hopes possibly dashed by a 33-31 loss, Smith was simply sensational, matching his career-high with eleven receptions, as ten of those catches were good for first downs, including three on third-down plays and one more on fourth-down. His 258 yards in that contest ranks second on the school game-record list and eighth in Pac-10 annals. It also set Oregon State opponent and stadium records. Smith also had a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns (37 and 2 yards) … In the first quarter, Steve gained 53 yards on a third-&-15 seam pass from John David Booty before he was tackled by OSU safety Sabby Piscitelli at the OSU 9 … He set up a late second quarter 29-yard field goal with a 42-yard catch … Smith beat Piscitelli for a 33-yarder to the USC 48, but then failed to get to a fourth-&-goal toss by Booty, ending the 7-play, 75-yard third quarter drive … He hooked up with Booty early in the fourth quarter on a 37-yard scoring strike … With 2:39 left to play, Smith caught a third-&-16 pass for 14 yards, followed by a 22-yarder to the OSU 18 on fourth-&-2. He then snared a second-&-goal pass from Booty for a 2-yard touchdown with 0:07 left on the clock. Booty then failed to connect a two-point conversion attempt and OSU fans stormed the field in the waning moments of Oregon State's 33-31 win …

Record Watch-Smith's 258 yards receiving vs. Oregon State in 2006 is two shy of the school game-record of 260 by R. Jay Soward vs. UCLA in 1996 (double over-time). It also ranks eighth in Pac-10 Conference history behind Soward, Mike Haas of Oregon State (293 vs. Boise State, 2004), Wesley Walker of California (289 vs. San Jose State, 1976), Jeremy McDaniel of Arizona (283 vs. California, 1996-four overtimes), Troy Walters of Stanford (278 vs. UCLA, 1999), Ron Fair of Arizona State (277 vs. Washington State, 1989) and J.J. Stokes of UCLA (263 vs. Southern California, 1992) … Head to Head Competition-CB#6-Keenan Lewis-Four tackles (2 solos), one pass deflection (also covered Smith on four incomplete passes).

Stanford … Southern California bounced back from its first regular season loss in more than three years in the best possible way - with a dominating win reminiscent of its championship years, a 42-0 shutout. Smith only caught two passes, but both were good for first downs, totaling 17 yards … At the start of the second quarter, J.D. Booty hit Smith with a fourth-&-4 screen that netted 10 yards, setting up Booty's 21-yard touchdown toss to Dwayne Jarrett … After Stanford's Wopamo Osaisai fumbled the ensuing kickoff, USC's Keith Rivers ripped the ball out of his hands, giving the Trojans the ball on the 7. Booty then hit Smith on the next play, as the flanker beat Osaisai into the end zone for a 7-yard score to make it 21-0 with 13:14 to play in the half … Head to Head Competition-CB#31-Wopamo Osaiasi-Four tackles (2 solos).

Oregon … Four of Smith's seven catches were good for first downs, converting two third-down plays in the process, as he amassed 88 yards … On the second quarter's opening drive, he caught a third-&-6 pass from J.D. Booty for 8 yards, followed by a 19-yard grab that put the ball at the Oregon 3. On first-&-goal, cornerback Jairus Byrd was penalized for interfering on a pass intended for Smith, setting up a 2-yard scoring run by tailback C.J. Gable that ended the 12-play, 80-yard series … Smith snared a 30-yard pass from Booty to set up the Quarterback's 12-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett that capped an 80-yard, 5-play series with 12:15 left in the game … Head to Head Competition-CB#32-Jairus Byrd-Three solo tackles.

California … Smith followed with six catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, when QB J.D.

Booty threw a 37-yard scoring pass to the receiver on a fourth-&-2 play with 8:23 left to cap a 56-yard drive and complete the scoring … Earlier in the game, Smith set up a 19-yard field goal with a 2-yard grab at the Cal 2 on third-&-goal early in the first quarter … Midway through the second quarter, his 23-yard grab set up Mario Danelo's 32-yard field goal …

Head to Head Competition-CB#13-Daymeion Hughes-Seven tackles (3 solos), a stop for a 3-yard loss, one pass deflection.

Notre Dame … Smith was limited to 35 yards on three catches … Head to Head Competition-CB#20-Terrail Lambert-Three solo tackles, one pass deflection.

Michigan (Rose Bowl) … Closed out his career with seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown … He converted two third-down tosses and had five total first-down grabs …

His 35-yard catch in front of cornerback Leon Hall was downed at the UM 22, where QB J.D. Booty then fired a 22-yard scoring pass to Dwayne Jarrett with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter … Smith then snared a 26-yard pass on a 4-play, 85-yard fourth quarter drive that he ended with a 7-yard touchdown catch … Head to Head Competition-CB#29-Leon Hall-Four solo tackles.

All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention and one of fifteen semi-finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's premier receiver … Played in thirteen games, starting at flanker vs. Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona, Washington, Washington State, UCLA and Texas … Finished second on the team with 60 receptions (12th on the school season-record list) for 957 yards (15.9 avg) and five touchdowns … Also carried twice for 11 yards (5.5 avg), averaging 74.5 all-purpose yards per game … Gained over 100 yards receiving in three contests … Of the 76 passes targeted to him, five were deflected by the opposition … 39 of his catches produced first downs, as he converted 9-of-17 third-down plays … Sixteen of his receptions were for 20 yards or longer … Had big catches to set up fourteen touchdown drives … Caught 9-of-14 passes thrown to him inside the red zone, including two on third-down plays.

Hawaii … Smith started off the season in explosive fashion, hauling in seven passes for a then career-high 185 yards and a touchdown in a 63-17 win at Aloha Stadium. Five of his catches were good for first downs, as he set up four touchdown drives in the process … His 19-yarder in the second quarter set up Matt Leinart's 22-yard scoring strike to Dwayne Jarrett and his 9-yarder in the third quarter had another 5 yards tackled on when an Hawaiian defender grabbed his face mask. He then gained 24 yards on the next play, leading to Leinart's 28-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett … In the third quarter, Leinart found Smith with a 67-yard touchdown bomb … Smith late third quarter 54-yard catch set up Reggie Bush's 1-yard touchdown run … Head to Head Competition-CB#9-Ryan Keomaka-Three assisted tackles (stopped Smith from getting to three other throws).

Arkansas … Steve had his second 100-yard performance when he totaled 129 yards on four catches, all good for first downs in a 70-17 romp … His 44-yard first quarter catch set up Matt Leinart's 24-yard scoring pass to Dwayne Jarrett … Smith added a 58-yarder in the third quarter and Leinart then handed off to LenDale White, who took the ball the final yard for a 1-yard touchdown … Head to Head Competition-CB#19-Michael Coe-Five solo tackles, one pass deflection.

Oregon … Smith fell seven yards shy of his third 100-yard game, settling for 93 yards as four of his six receptions resulted in first downs in a 45-13 triumph … In the fourth quarter, he had 34 & 29-yard catches to set up an 11-yard touchdown run by Reggie Bush that capped a 5-play, 84-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-CB#31-Justin Phinisee-Six solo tackles.

Arizona State … Smith was held to 33 yards on three catches, as three other passes to him were deflected and two more were incomplete … Head to Head Competition-CB#23-Josh Golden-Seven tackles (3 solos).

Arizona … Smith got back to the century mark with 135 yards on seven receptions, producing five first downs along the way in a 42-21 defeat of Arizona … He set up tailback LenDale White's 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter with a 56-yard grab that was downed at the Wildcats' 11, capping a 7-play, 80-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-CB#5-Antoine Cason-Six tackles (4 solos), one pass deflection.

Notre Dame … Steve pulled down four passes, three that were good for first downs, amassing 90 yards in a 34-31 decision … He kept a mid second quarter drive alive with a 36-yard gain on a third-&-4 sideline toss from Matt Leinart and had a 40-yarder at the start of the second half … Head to Head Competition-CB#22-Ambrose Wooden-Seven tackles (4 solos-also prevented Smith from getting to three other throws).

Washington … Smith only gained 25 yards on five catches, but one was good for an 8-yard touchdown on a second-&-goal play that capped an 85-yard, 12-play drive midway through the first quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#28-Roy Lewis-Seven tackles (6 solos), one stop for a 3-yard loss.

Washington State … Steve accounted for only three catches, but two resulted in touch-downs, as he finished the day with 53 yards in a 55-13 trouncing of the Cougars … Both of his scores came in the first quarter, as he beat cornerback Alex Teems on Matt Leinart touchdown throws of 15 yards and then on a 24-yarder that capped a 7-play, 84-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-CB#21-Alex Teems-Five tackles (4 solos), one interception.

Stanford … All three of Smith's receptions produced first downs and were for at least 20 yards each, piling up 79 yards in a 51-21 victory … His 20 & 35-yarders midway through the second quarter paved the way for Matt Leinart's 1-yard touchdown lob to Jimmy Miller that ended a 9-play, 85-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-CB#35-T.J. Rushing-Two solo tackles.

California … Smith made five catches for 36 yards, including an 8-yarder on a third-&-5 pass over the middle from Matt Leinart that led to a 1-yard scoring plunge by tailback LenDale White in the first quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#22-Tim Mixon-Four tackles (3 solos).

Fresno State … The USC flanker came up with seven receptions for 42 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown on a seconhd-&-1 pass from Matt Leinart in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#17-Marcus McCauley-Ten tackles (8 solos), one stop for a 2-yard loss, one forced fumble.

UCLA … Smith was limited to 28 yards on three catches, twice failing to get to third-down throws … He did keep two other drives alive with an 11-yard catch on a third-&-9 play and a 9-yard grab on a third-&-4 pass from Matt Leinart, both coming in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#23-Trey Brown-Seven solo tackles, one pass deflection.

Texas (Rose Bowl) … The Trojans lost for the first time since a triple-overtime defeat to California on September 27th, 2003. Its 34-game winning streak is tied for fourth all-time, behind Oklahoma's 47-game streak from 1953-57. Smith was held to three catches for 29 yards … Head to Head Competition-CB#8-Cedric Griffin-Eight tackles (6 solos).

Smith appeared in eight games, starting the first five contests and the UCLA and Oklahoma clashes … He suffered a left leg fracture vs. California that would sideline him for five other games … Steve finished with 42 receptions for 660 yards (15.7 avg) and six touchdowns … He was tackled for a 1-yard loss on a reverse, made one solo tackle and caused one fumble … Three of the 61 passes thrown to him were deflected and the opposition also recovered his lone fumble … 29 of his grabs produced first downs, as he converted 8-of-16 third-down plays and had twelve receptions for 20 yards or longer … He also made big catches that resulted in fourteen touchdown drives and two others that produced field goals … He caught 4-of-5 passes thrown to him on goal-line plays.

Had four catches for 68 yards vs. Virginia Tech … Added a season-high eight catches for 79 yards, including a 5-yard score vs. Colorado State … Led the team with six catches for 62 yards at Brigham Young … Followed with seven catches for 153 yards and a 2-yard touch-down vs. Stanford … Grabbed two receptions for 76 yards vs. California before breaking his leg … Returned for the Notre Dame game, but did not catch a pass … Made four catches for 37 yards at UCLA (plus a tackle and forced fumble which USC recovered after an interception) … In the Orange Bowl vs. Oklahoma, he caught an Orange Bowl and USC record-tying three touchdowns (5, 33 and 4 yards, with the 33-yarder caught with just one arm while being held by an OU defender) among his game-best seven receptions for 113 yards to earn a place on Sports Illustrated's and CBSSportsline.com's All-Bowl Teams.

Smith played in twelve games as the team's third receiver, catching seventeen passes for 319 yards (18.8 avg) and two touchdowns … He also gained 8 yards on a reverse … He only missed getting to two other passes thrown to him, as eleven of his catches produced first downs … Converted 2-of-4 third-down plays and had six catches for 20 yards or longer … He also made big plays that set up four touchdown drives.

Gained eight yards on a backwards pass vs. Hawaii) … Had his first career 100-yard game when he caught five passes for 136 yards and a 73-yard touchdown (USC's longest play from scrimmage in 2003) vs. Oregon State … Added four receptions for 27 yards vs. UCLA and two catches for 60 yards, turning a short grab into a 55-yard touchdown vs. Washington State … Made two more catches for 54 yards vs. Arizona.

2001: Missed two games as a high school junior with a shoulder strain.

2002: Sat out two games during his high school senior year with a sprained ankle.

2004: Suffered a broken bone in his left leg vs. California (10/09), missing the next five games vs. Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Oregon and Arizona.

2005: Sprained his left ankle vs. Nebraska (9/16) that limited his playing time vs. Arizona the following week. He then suffered a first degree left ankle sprain vs. Washington State (9/30), re-injured it vs. Arizona State (10/14), missing the fourth quarter of that contest. Smith twice tweaked the ankle during the Oregon State game (10/28).

2006: Sprained his left ankle vs. Nebraska (9/16), limiting his playing time vs. Arizona the following week. He then suffered a first degree left ankle sprain vs. Washington State (9/30), re-injured it vs. Arizona State (10/14), missing the fourth quarter of that contest. Smith twice tweaked the ankle during the Oregon State clash (10/28).

Campus: 4.54 in the 40-yard dash … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9 1/2-inch hands.

Combine: 4.44 in the 40-yard dash … 38-inch vertical jump … 10'0" broad jump … 4.19 20-yard dash … Chose not to run the shuttle or lift in the 225-pound bench press.

Attended Taft (Woodland Hills, Cal.) High School … Earned 2002 Parade All-American (and top wide receiver), USA Today All-USA first-team, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Student Sports All-American first-team, Tom Lemming All-American and The Insiders.com All-American second-team honors … Member of the Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100, FOX Sports 50, Tom Lemming Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team (unanimous), Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 and Orange County Register Fab 15 first-team … Also named Cal-Hi Sports All-State Wide Receiver MVP, All-L.A. City Defensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Star first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley first-team and Los Angeles Daily News All-Area first-team as a senior wide receiver and defensive back … In 2002, he caught 86 passes for 1,362 yards (15.8 avg) and 11 touchdowns on offense and had 48 tackles, five interceptions and 13 pass deflections on defense (he did all this despite missing two games with an ankle sprain) … Taft advanced to the L.A. City final for the second consecutive year in 2002 … As a junior in 2001, he was a Student Sports All-West first-team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Wide Receiver MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first-team, All-L.A. City MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Star first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley Back MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area MVP and All-League pick … Had 92 receptions for 1,612 yards (17.5 avg) and 13 touchdowns in 2001, plus 12 interceptions (tops in California) despite missing two games with a shoulder injury … As a sophomore in 2000, he was named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State first-team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first-team, All-L.A. City first-team, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley first-team and Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Offensive MVP … Grabbed 93 passes for 1,597 yards (17.2 avg) and 18 touchdowns … In his three-year varsity career, he caught 271 passes for 4,545 yards (16.8 avg), both California state records … Smith also played basketball at Taft, earning 2002 Student Sports Grid-Hoops All-American first-team honors, as well as being a three-time All-State selection … Averaged 25.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 2002 and 26.8 points and 9.3 rebounds in 2001 … Also competed in track (with a best of 10.8 in the 100 meters) at Taft … Selected as the 2002-03 CalHiSports.com boys' California Athlete of the Year.

Public Policy/Management and Planning major at USC … Born 5/06/85 in Alaska … Resides in Canoga Park, California.