Ryan Smith

Position:
RHP
Height:
6-0
Weight:
190
Class:
Graduate Student
Hometown:
Waco, Texas
Prev School:
Baylor
High School:
Midway

2016: Did not see game action while redshirting during first season in the program.

Prior to UofL: Attended Baylor University and was a member of the Bears baseball team from 2012-15. Final two seasons at Baylor were lost due to injuries – hip injury in 2014 and elbow injury in 2015. Earned degree in education from Baylor in 2015 and has two years of remaining eligibility as granted by the NCAA. Earned Big 12 All-Freshman team honors in 2012 after finishing with a 3-1 record, one save and a 3.14 ERA in 14 relief appearances and 28.1 innings pitched as Baylor won the Big 12 championship and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional. Made four starts and appeared in 22 games as a sophomore finishing with five saves, 2-3 record and a 5.48 ERA in 46.0 innings. Named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in Fall 2014.

High School: Pitched and played shortstop for coach Paul Offill at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Helped 2011 team to 33-4 record and District and Area championships as senior. Named 2011 District 8-4A Defensive Player of the Year. Earned second-team 2010 Super Centex honors as pitcher. Went 6-0 with 1.03 ERA on mound as junior, helping team to 24-12 record and Regional championship. Two-year letterwinner at quarterback on MHS football team. Earned District 8-4A Offensive Player of the Year and honorable mention all-state honors after leading team to 12-1 record and 2010 Area championship as senior. Threw for 2,596 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Personal: Born Ryan Carr Smith on June 11, 1992 in Starkville, Miss. Parents are Steve and Melinda Smith. Has one younger brother, Case. Ryan completed his degree in education from Baylor in May 2015 and is currently pursuing master’s in community health at Louisville. Signed with Louisville after also strongly considering Arkansas. After college, he wants to play baseball professionally before coaching football. Person with the greatest influence on his athletic career is his dad. Hobbies and interests include golf. Favorite movies include anything with Will Ferrell. Favorite TV show is SportsCenter. Favorite cereal is Lucky Charms. Favorite candy bar is Reese’s. Favorite team is the Texas Rangers. Favorite restaurant is Chuy’s. His dad Steve was the head coach at Baylor from 1995 to 2015 where he was a five-time Big 12 Coach of the Year selection and was the winningest coach in program history with 744 victories. Steve played professional baseball rising to the AAA level in the San Francisco Giants organization.