Baltimore Ravens Select Heisman-Winner Troy Smith in 2007 NFL Draft

ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 2, 2007-With the 174th overall pick the Baltimore Ravens selected 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, quarterback from Ohio State, during the NFL Draft this past weekend. Smith, selected in the fifth round, is one of seven players selected by the Ravens.

Baltimore, which plays on Sportexe synthetic turf systems at M & T Bank Stadium, is one of four Sportexe clients in the NFL (including the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills) that enjoyed draft-day success during the two-day selection process of the top collegiate players in the nation.

Smith, who also earned the Davey O'Brien Award, Walter Camp National Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year and All-America first-team honors, connected on 203 of 311 passes (65.3 percent) for 2,542 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished seventh in the nation with a pass efficiency rating of 161.91 en route to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the national title game.

"Troy proved at the highest college level that he can play and win," said Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta. "He has all the physical tools. He is an impressive person with outstanding leadership skills. His football intellect is tremendous."

Baltimore head coach Brian Billick also touts Smith: "His story is about overcoming odds, production and leadership. What's not to like?"

Overall, Smith played in 42 games with Ohio State, including 32 at quarterback in which he finished 25-3 as its starter. Smith tallied a 62.7 career completion percentage, 5,720 yards, 54 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. He even ran for 1,168 yards on 293 carries and 14 touchdowns, 204 yards with one score during 2006, and gained 83 yards on kickoff returns.

Smith is the first Heisman Trophy winner the Ravens have ever drafted.

"There is no second-guessing the selection of Troy Smith," said football insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "Smith's resume is well documented, and without question he possesses a blue-chip pedigree. He is a phenomenal athlete that will only bolster the Ravens' already-solid talent roster."

The Ravens earned the 29th overall pick after capturing the AFC North Division title in 2006 and selected offensive guard Ben Grubbs from Auburn as its first round choice. Grubbs was the highest rated guard in the draft, and many experts predict he could start his rookie year and remain the starter well into the next decade.

Other Baltimore draft picks include: Yamon Figurs, WR, Kansas State (3rd round, 74th pick); Marshal Yanda, OL, Iowa (3rd round, 86th pick); Antwan Barnes, LB, Florida International (4th round, 134th pick); Le'Ron McClain, FB, Alabama (4th round, 137th); and Prescott Burgess, LB, Michigan (6th round, 207th pick).

"I think we'll look back on this draft in three or four years, and you'll be able to look at a lot of players that are going to be major contributors to a team that was coming off a 13-3 season," said Ravens general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome. "Hopefully, with the draft and other things we've done this offseason, we've put ourselves in position to return to the playoffs."

"We are excited to see Troy and the other six selections with Baltimore," said Lee. "And we are even more excited to see them perform on Sportexe turf at M & T Bank Stadium in the future."

Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, can be found underfoot of many of the nation's elite athletes from the NFL and NCAA, and is the exclusive turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League. Sportexe clients also include numerous high school and recreational fields across North America.