Ex-Penn State WR headed to the Herd

Over a period of about 10 months, Devon Smith accidentally plowed over then-Penn State head coach Joe Paterno and injured the icon last August; had drugs seized from his apartment in March and was ultimately charged in April; missed the last couple of weeks of spring practice due to injury; and ultimately “parted ways” with the Nittany Lions in June.

Now, the wide receiver will attempt a fresh start to his collegiate at a school a south and west of his former locale.

Marshall announced via a press release Thursday that Smith has been added to the Herd’s football roster. The receiver practiced with his new teammates for the first time yesterday.

He will be eligible to play immediately for Marshall in 2012.

“Devon is a great young guy, has tremendous talent and is one of the fastest players in the country,” said Herd head coach Doc Holliday in a statement. “He is a member of the Marshall family now and we’re excited about it.”

As a junior last season, Smith finished third on the Nittany Lions in receptions and receiving yards. Here are the relevant statistical details from the release:

Smith, a 5-foot-7, 147-pound senior who will be eligible this season, played in all 13 games last season and caught 25 passes for 402 yards with a pair of touchdown catches in addition to his duties in the return game. As a sophomore, he played in all 13 games and made six starts, while racking up 27 catches for 363 yards and one score. That season, he also ranked second in the Big Ten with a 12.9-yard punt return average to go along with 15 rushing attempts. As a freshman, he played in 10 games and posted four catches for 30 yards, while returning five kicks for 91 yards.