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Paul Smith
2007 Wuerffel Trophy Recipient

University of Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith is the 2007 Wuerffel Trophy winner. Congratulations to Paul, his wife Krista and his family.  The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.  See  www.wuerffeltrophy.org for more information.

Paul was a first team Academic All-American, 2007 National Football Foundations Scholar Athlete recipient, and a finalist for the Draddy Award, which is presented to the top scholar athlete in the country. Paul was named to the Conference USA 11-member Football Academic Team, the Conference USA Scholar-Athlete of the year for football, and the 2007 AFCA Good Works Team. He was on the Dean’s List seven of eight semesters, and graduated in May with a degree in communication and a minor in management. His overall GPA was a 3.84.

Paul led his Golden Hurricane team to the school’s sixth 10-win season this year, and a 63-7 victory over Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl. He was named the GMAC Bowl’s MVP, passing for 312 yards and five touchdowns. The senior from Owasso, Oklahoma, had an NCAA single-season record, 14 straight 300 plus yards passing games this season. Paul completed 327 of 544 passes for 5,065 yards and 47 touchdowns, both Tulsa and Conference USA records. He is just the seventh player in NCAA history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. In NCAA statistics Paul ranked first in points responsible for, second in total offense and total passing yards, third in passing yards per game, and fourth in pass efficiency. Paul established 12 school records and six conference marks this season while leading Tulsa to a 10-4 record. He threw for 10,936 yards.

In addition to Paul’s achievements on the playing field and in the classroom, his measurable and sustained community service is what makes him special. He is actively involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes having served as the Tulsa University FCA president the last three years. He is a popular speaker and singer throughout the Tulsa area, has participated in inner city ministry, and has been active in programs that educate young people so they can make positive choices about drugs and alcohol.
“This is the biggest thing (honor he could receive) just because of my knowledge of Danny Wuerffel and what this trophy represents,” Paul said. “I was honored to be nominated and become a finalist. To be mentioned in the same sentence with those that have won it, or were even nominated for it, is probably one of the biggest accolades of my life, if not the biggest.  “There’s no better person (than Danny Wuerffel) to model your life after, so I’m really excited.”

Danny Wuerffel with Wuerffel Trophy Winner Paul Smith and former recipients Rudy Niswanger and Joel Penton

Seated Paul Smith, Standing (L to R) Rudy Niswanger, Danny Wuerffel and Joel Penton