Jeff Smoker

Smoker was suspended for the last five games of the 2002 season by coach Bobby Williams due to a violation of team rules.[6] It was later revealed that Smoker was dealing with substance abuse issues.[7] His story and comeback was profiled in a front-page story in Sports Illustrated. Williams was fired toward the end of the 2002 season. Incoming coach John Smith reinstated Smoker in August 2003.[8]

Held the following Michigan State passing records:
Records that have been surpassed are marked with an *

Career records

• Passing yards: 8,932*
• Touchdown passes: 61*
• Pass attempts: 1,150*
• Pass completions: 685*
• 200-yard passing games: 23
• Interceptions: 39
• Passing yards per game (min 20 games): 217.9

Season records

• Passing yards: 3,395 (2003)
• Pass attempts: 488 (2003)
• Pass completions: 302 (2003)
• Passing efficiency rating (min 75 attempts): 166.4 (2001)
• Total offense yards per attempt (min 100 attempts): 7.35 (2001)
• Passing yards per game (min 5 games): (2003)*
• Passing touchdowns: 21 (2001, 2003)*

Single game records

• Pass attempts: 55 vs Ohio State (2003)
• Pass completions: 35 vs Ohio State (2003)

Smoker was drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, he made the Rams' roster in his rookie year as the team's third-string quarterback.[10][11] In his second year he was beaten out of that position by 2005 7th round draft pick Ryan Fitzpatrick and was cut from the Rams at the end of training camp.[12]

Smoker spent a brief time on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad in 2005.[13]

He spent the 2005 season on the club's practice squad due to injuries to the Ram's starter Marc Bulger and his back-up, Jamie Martin.[14] Due to the Rams' signing of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte in the 2006 offseason,[15] Smoker was cut from the Rams roster at the beginning of the 2006 training camp on July 26, 2006.[16]

On August 9, 2006, he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Smoker was released on August 28.[17]

Smoker was signed by the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League (AFL) on November 17, 2006. He got his first start with the Kats on March 18, 2007 versus the Utah Blaze in Nashville.[18] He replaced Clint Stoerner as the starting quarterback midway through the season and help lead the Kats to a 7-9 record, just barely missed the playoffs.[19] He was released from the team at the end of the 2007 season.

Smoker was signed by the Arizona Rattlers,[20] where he made his first starts after starter Lang Campbell went down with a sprained ankle.[21] He was their starting quarterback until the league folded in 2009.[22]