By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Derek Smith wants it made clear he didn't leave an NFL contract to go play basketball at a Division II college.

But it ended up that way, and his arrival could be a boon for Northern Kentucky University first-year coach Dave Bezold.

As NKU comes off a 16-15 record that was its worst in 10 seasons, it expects an upgrade with two Division I transfers - guard Bryant Northern from Louisville and 6-foot-8 forward Tory Reed from UNC-Charlotte - and an intriguing talent in Smith.

"I'm really excited about this new chance," Smith said. "I didn't even know I had eligibility left."

Smith, 23, had signed with the St. Louis Rams in January, following earlier stints as a practice player for the Colts and Bengals. Yet before he reported in April, Smith said, he decided to retire and go back to school, and chose NKU.

The former Mr. Basketball runner-up from Highlands, who had Division I basketball offers out of high school and nearly walked on for Tubby Smith at Kentucky while playing football there, has spent four nights a week playing pickup basketball. When Bezold heard about that, and that Smith was enrolling, he called to ask if Smith would like to play.

The school checked with the NCAA and was told Smith has 2 1/2 years of basketball eligibility remaining. The school has reserved a scholarship for Smith, who must complete two summer-school classes to be eligible. Smith could play the next two seasons. If he wants a third, he could play the bulk of the 2006-07 season - the last 20-some games - after shifting to and from part-time student status the first semester of that school year.

"They (NKU's coaches) told me about playing, and I was like, 'Wow. Hell yeah, I want to play,' " Smith said. "It worked out well. Now I'll get my school paid for."

At 6 feet 6, he'll provide NKU much-needed size. Smith can play inside and out, and he averaged 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds his senior year at Highlands. He weighs 250 pounds now but said he'll try to play at 230.

Smith spent three years at UK, earning Southeastern Conference first-team honors at tight end as a sophomore but clashed with Guy Morriss when Morriss took over as coach the next season.

Smith said his decision to leave the NFL came when he realized most of his high school buddies were finishing college and beginning their careers.

"It's not that I felt I wasn't going to make it (in football)," Smith said. "I really felt I was stuck in a rut, scratching and clawing to make an NFL team. I just really wanted to get back in school."

His first game probably will be an exhibition against UK, Nov. 3 in Rupp Arena. NKU has received its signed contract from UK, so that matchup is now official.

"I'm sure that'll be made into a big deal," Smith said of his return to UK. "That'll be neat. I've always been a UK fan. It's still my No. 1 team to cheer for."

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com