Lions in the Pros

{Missouri Southern Football}

Missouri Southern Lions in the Pro

# 80 Rod Smith - WR
Denver Broncos

After making the squad as an undrafted free agent in 1994, toiling for a year on the practice squad, and spending two seasons as a punt return specialist and reserve wide reciever, Rod Smith has led the Denver Broncos in receiving yards the past four seasons.

Rod holds Broncos franchise records for career receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), touchdown catches (68) and overall touchdowns (71). Rod leads all undrafted players in NFL history in every major career receiving category and enters the 2007 season ranked 11th in overall league annals in career receptions (849), 17th in career receiving yards (11,389) and tied for 30th in career receiving touchdowns (68). He is a three-time Pro Bowler.

Rod Smith is the first player from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, and the first to play for two Super Bowl winning teams (Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII).

Click here to go to the Denver Broncos web site.

# 87 James Thrash - WR
Washington Redskins

James Thrash, an undrafted free agent, immediately made his presence known by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in the Washington Redskins first two preseason games in 1997. In the offseason following the 2000 campaign, Thrash signed with NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles. He has since rejoined the Washington Redskins.

He developed into a solid special teams player and reserve wide receiver, before breaking into the starting lineup and finishing the 2000 campaign with 50 receptions for 653 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also racked up 1,000 yards on 45 kickoff returns, and added 10 punt returns for 106 yards and 10 carries for 82 yards to lead the Redskins in all-purpose yardage.

In 1999, he had three receptions for 44 yards, while leading the Redskins in kickoff return average (25.4 yards per return). His 14 kickoff returns for 355 yards included a 95-yard return for a touchdown. James also tacked on 13 special teams tackles (12 solos, one assist)

In 1998, James had 10 receptions for 163 yards and a TD before suffering a broken collarbone in week 13.

Click here to go to the Washington Redskins web site.

# 78 Allen Barbre - LG
Green Bay Packers

Allen Barbre became the highest-ever drafted player in Missouri Southern history, and the second-highest in MIAA history, when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Barbre was a consensus All-American, All-MIAA and All-Region first-team selection in 2006. He helped lead an offensive line that saw quarterback Adam Hinspeter become just the second passer in school history to throw for 2,000 yards twice in a career. The offense amassed 3,461 yards for the season, including 2,527 passing. He finished with a career-high 94 knockdowns at left tackle and also excelled on the punt coverage unit, coming up with seven solo tackles.

For his career, Barbre started 33 of 37 contests. All but one of those starting assignments came at the demanding left tackle position. He was credited with 254 knockdown blocks and registered ten tackles (9 solos) on special teams. He was the first player from Southern to be invited to the NFL Combine.

Barbre is currently the Packers' second-string left guard.

Click here to go to the Green Bay Packers web site.

Lions' Professional Football Draft Chocies and Free Agent Signees

Draft Picks

1971 - Jim Hoots (DE) Buffalo Bills, 14th Round	1996 - Jared Kaaiohelo (RB) Scottish Claymores (WLAF), 22nd Round
1997 - Richard Jordan (LB) Detroit Lions, 7th Round	2007 - Allen Barbre (LT) Green Bay Packers, 4th Round

Free Agents

1970 - Dave Denny (TE) Saskatchewan Rouhriders (CFL)	1971 - Dave Denny (TE) British Columbia Lions (CFL)
1976 - Terry Joyce (P/TE) St. Louis Cardinals	1979 - Mike Loyd (QB) St. Louis Cardinals
1981 - Ozzie Harrell (DB) Kansas City Chiefs	1983 - Ozzie Harrell (DB) Philadelphia Eagles
1984 - Greg Brown (OT) St. Louis Cardinals	1984 - Tom Fisher (NT) Indianapolis Colts
1984 - Mike Loyd (QB) Oklahoma Outlaws (USFL)	1984 - Billy Jack Smith (OT) Los Angeles Raiders
1985 - Harold Noirfalise (RB) Atlanta Falcons	1994 - Rod Smith (WR) Denver Broncos
1995 - Jared Kaiohelo (RB) Houston Oilers	1994 - Gerrick Walker (DB) San Antonio Texans (CFL)
1997 - James Thrash (WR) Washington Redskins	1997 - Jared Kaaiohelo (RB) Indianapolis Colts
1999 - Kqorea Willis (LB) Montreal Alouettes (CFL)	2000 - Mike Tosaw (OL) Buffalo Bills