'Undersized' Lacey Football Player Strives For Chance with NFL

Warren Smith was somewhat of an underdog on the football field.

“He was a little undersized his whole life,” high school coach Lou Vircillo said.

As quarterback for the Lacey Lions in 2006 and 2007, colleges overlooked Smith.

“I didn’t get recruited by colleges because I was undersized at 6 feet tall, and we didn’t throw the ball much,” Smith said.

Today, Smith plays professionally for the German Football League, working his way toward the NFL.

Smith began playing football at the age of 8 for Lacey Pop Warner, he said.

“I picked football because it interested me and I loved the New York Giants!” he said. “I quickly fell in love with the game.”

Vircillo described Smith as hard-working, diligent, conscientious, a good student, high-energy and good-natured.

Smith, a 2008 Lacey Township High School graduate, walked on to Iona College’s football team and started as quarterback his freshman year. Following that season, the football program was cut due to the school’s budget.

Having played against the University of Maine, the coach called Smith and offered him a full scholarship.

Smith was a three-year starter at Maine, breaking the single season passing record, throwing for 3,122 yards his senior year and leading his team to the quarterfinals in the playoffs.

The Black Bears finished ranked eighth in the country and Smith is currently third on Maine’s all time passing leaders with 8,050 yards, 55 touchdown passes and 14 rushing. He was also selected Most Valuable Player as well as all-conference for the Colonial Athletic Association his senior year.

By using the website Europlayers.com, featuring his college football highlights, Smith was recruited by the Dresden Monarchs.

“My goal this year before I came out to Germany was to get invited to a NFL mini camp or a workout or make it into the Canadian football league,” Smith said. “But same as high school, the feedback I received was that I am undersized and possibly not good enough for NFL talent.”

As of Sept. 17, the Dresden Monarchs were 10-4 and on their way to the playoffs. Smith had 25 touchdown passes for 2,074 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns for 575 yards. He only had six interceptions and zero fumbles.

This season is the first time Dresden has ever won 10 games in their 20-year existence, Smith said.

“Making history and now going for the German Bowl,” he said.

The team has five Americans, including Larry Croom and Lamar Myles who have played in the NFL, Jamal Smith who played for the Canadian Football League and Chris Evering.

“The experience has been awesome! My teammates are great,” Smith said.

Although training is not as difficult as professional football in America, Smith is required to help coach the Dresden youth team to develop the Germany players with American coaching, he said.

Smith will return to America in October when he plans to try to get recruited by the NFL or Canadian Football League again, he said.

“I know I’m good enough and smart enough to play in those leagues. I just need someone to give a 6-foot quarterback a shot,” he said.

If a professional team in America or Canada doesn’t recruit him, he’s willing to return to Europe.

“They always say play as long as you can,” he said.