Owen Schmitt

PRO: Chosen with the 30th selection in the 5th round (163 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. First player drafted from West Virginia in club history. Third fullback selected since 2005 (Tony Jackson, 2005; David Kirtman, 2006) and fifth since 2001 (Chris Davis, 2003; Heath Evans, 2001).

College: Most agree he is a throwback to an era where the fullback delivered devastating blocks. In 38 games at West Virginia, Schmitt earned a total of 21 starts, including four at tight end. Carried 160 times for 1,003 yards (6.3-yard average) and 13 touchdowns. Caught 32 passes for 288 yards (9.0-yard avg) and two scores, adding 34 yards on two kickoff returns. Punted three times for 61 yards (20.3 avg) with two kicks downed inside the 20-yard line and recorded two solo tackles. Broke 10 facemasks over the last three years. Senior: An All-American first-team pick by The NFL Draft Report and selected by the coaching staff for the Ira E. Rodgers Award. Received All-Big East Conference second-team honors from Rivals.com, as he continued to dominate as a blocker, coming up with 106 knockdowns and 17 touchdown-resulting blocks. Started 11 of 13 games at fullback, rushing 47 times for 272 yards (5.8-yard average) and four touchdowns while getting tackled just once behind the line of scrimmage. Finished fourth on the team with 12 receptions for 121 yards (10.1-yard average) and a score while also having two of three punts downed inside the 20-yard line, finishing with a 20.3-yard average and one solo tackle. Junior: Started four of 13 contests, seeing action mostly at fullback, but also lined up at tight end and tailback. Earned All-American second-team honors from The NFL Draft Report and Scout.com, and was the recipient of the Whitey Gwynne Award, given by the WVU coaches to the team's unsung hero. Added NSCA Strength All-American honors. Ran for 351 yards and seven touchdowns on 65 carries (5.4-yard average). Caught 12 passes for 91 yards (7.6 avg) with a score, recorded one solo tackle and returned a kickoff 14 yards. Also collected 87 knockdowns, including 16 touchdown-resulting blocks. Sophomore: Left UW-River Falls after that season, joining the West Virginia program as a walk-on. Under NCAA transfer rules, he was forced to sit out the 2004 season. In 2005, he started six games at fullback, while also lining up at the tailback and tight end positions. An Iron Mountaineer Award winner for his performances in the weight room, the versatile athlete collected 380 yards on 48 attempts (7.9-yard average) with two touchdowns, as the opposition failed to tackle him for a loss on any play. Also caught eight passes for 76 yards (9.5-yard average) and returned a kickoff 20 yards. Freshman: Earned All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors at Wisconsin-River Falls, as he ranked third in the league and led the team with 193 carries for 1,063 yards (5.5-yard average) and five touchdowns in nine starting assignments. He also caught two passes for 10 yards, amassing 1,073 all-purpose yards.

Personal: Attended Fairfax (Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Bill Rechin. Earned unanimous All-Conference and Liberty District Most Valuable Player accolades. Led the conference in rushing as a senior, serving as team captain...Also excelled in baseball, picking up All-District and All-Region recognition in that sport.