Rams add Smith, Bennett to roster

REGINA, Sask. – University of Regina Rams head coach Frank McCrystal announced Friday that heralded defensive lineman Calvin Smith and receiver Andrew Bennett have enrolled at the University of Regina and are with the team for training camp.

Smith last played football in 2010 at the NCAA Div. I level with the University of New Mexico, playing in all 12 of the Lobos’ games as a true freshman and collecting 13 tackles and a sack while in a steady rotation on the defensive line.

He was one of the top defensive tackles available in the 2010 class after a standout career at Hialeah HS in Hialeah, Fla. He was listed as a four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and ESPN, with ESPN ranking him as the No. 20 defensive tackle in the class and Rivals.com slotting him at No. 26. He was a four-year standout on both the offensive and defensive lines for Hialeah, helping lead the Thoroughbreds to a 7-3 record in both his junior and senior seasons.

“We’ve had a number of outstanding defensive linemen here over the past several seasons and I expect that Calvin will help continue that trend,” McCrystal said. “Calvin comes to us after playing with some excellent programs at the college and high school levels and he’ll provide us with size and athleticism on the line.”

Smith, who checks in at 6-5 and 310 lbs., will help anchor a Rams defensive line that will also feature returning starters Logan Brooks and Ryan Wellman.

Also coming to the University of Regina is Bennett, a 6-4, 215 lb. receiver from Miami Lakes, Fla. with an interesting family connection to the Rams. Bennett’s first cousin is Chris King, who was a five-year receiver for the U of R from 2006 from 2010.

After graduating from Barbara Goleman HS in Miami Lakes in 2010, Bennett attended St. Norbert College (NCAA Div. III) in De Pere, Wis. and played in six games as a freshman for the Green Knights before transferring. He’s played both receiver and quarterback and completed a 29-yard pass in his only attempt with St. Norbert as a freshman.

“Andrew is a big, strong, tall, fast receiver out of Miami,” McCrystal said. “Naturally, there might be some adjustment for him to the three-down game but we expect to end up with an extremely good athlete at the wide receiver position.”

Both Smith and Bennett have four seasons of CIS eligibility remaining.

The Rams began two-a-day practices this morning and kick off the 2013 season with a non-conference home game against Manitoba on Friday, Aug. 23 at Mosaic Stadium (7 p.m.).

With files from Braeden Konschuh