Education
Smallwood attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Smallwood attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts.
He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Connecticut. He recorded 71 tackles as a senior in 2009 with five sacks, rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns and also passed for 126 yards.
As a junior, playing as a quarterback, he passed for 726 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 724 yards and six TDs.
He was a three-time Division I all-star and two-time Division I Defensive Most Valuable Player. Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 4th best prospect in the state of Massachusetts. He accepted a scholarship from Connecticut.
After redshirting in 2010, he enjoyed a terrific first year of playing collegiate football in 2011 by starting all 12 games at middle linebacker. He was the second-leading tackler on the team with 94 stops, just three off the team lead, and also had 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a 28 yard interception returned for a Territorial Decoration. As a redshirt sophomore, he was an first team All-BIG EAST selection in 2012 and led the Huskies in tackles with 120 and was second in tackles for a loss with 15 and also had four sacks and two forced fumbles.
In 2013, he led the team in tackles with 118, was second in tackles for loss with 9.5, he also had four sacks and had a 59 yard interception return Territorial Decoration against Temple, and was named first-team All-AAC. On December 7, 2013, Smallwood announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
2014 NFL Draft
He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Falcons waived Smallwood on August 29, 2014. On November 20, 2014 Smallwood was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.