Randy Smith owns four Youngstown State football records that still exist today. Smith was a member of the Penguin football program from 1991 through 1994 helping lead the program to National Titles in three of his four seasons.
As of the 2004 football season, Smith still holds school records for most interceptions in a game (three vs. Samford in 1991), career pass breakups (29), kickoff return yards average in a season (33.1 in 1994) and interception return yards in a season (141 in 1991).
At YSU, he started 55 games in his successful career. He finished his four years with the Penguins recording 173 tackles, 110 solo stops, 39 pass breakups and 13 interceptions. He also had two returns for touchdowns on defense.
Smith burst on the scene as a freshman in 1991. Originally a tailback, Coach Jim Tressel moved him to the secondary. Smith finished the year with eight interceptions, including five in the playoffs. In the postseason he had picks against Villanova, Marshall and three versus Samford. He returned one of his regular season interceptions 47 yards for a touchdown against Morgan State. His 141 interception return yards, on his eight picks, is still a school record.
On the year, he recorded 50 tackles, 41 of which were solo stops, he also had 11 pass breakups, caused two fumbles and recovered another while starting 12 games.
In 1992 as a sophomore, Smith recorded 31 total tackles, including 18 solos and had five pass breakups.
As a junior in 1993, he had his first taste returning kickoffs. He had seven returns for 126 yards, including a season long 32 yarder. In the secondary, he recorded 44 total stops, including 29 solos. He finished with an impressive 14 pass breakups.
The 1994 season was Smith's most decorated campaign. He was a first team All America kick returner by The Sports Network as well as a second team selection as a strong safety by The Associated Press, the Football Gazette and The Sports Network.
He recorded 48 total tackles, including 33 solos, had three interceptions, nine pass breakups, caused two fumbles and recovered two. Against Alcorn State in the playoffs, he returned a fumble 95 yards for a touchdown. As a kickoff returner, he returned 17 kicks for 562 yards, including a long of 81. His average of 33.1 per return set a single season school record.
He earned his degree in organizational communications from YSU in 1995. He is currently an adolescent counselor for Family Counseling and Child Services.
A native of Lockport, NY, he graduated from Lockport High School before attending YSU he had a very successful high school career being named the Buffalo New Player of the Year and winning the Connelly Cup for Western New York. In 1990, his jersey was retired by Lockport.
Randy, whose brother Wade played defensive back at Edinboro, resides in Austintown, Ohio. He had a four year old son, Randy Jr.
