Columbia native Vyncint Smith makes NFL roster with Houston Texans

Add another South Carolina native to the Houston Texans’roster.

Former Westwood standout and Columbia native Vyncint Smith made the club as Houston released its 53-man roster Saturday.

Smith, a receiver, signed with Houston as undrafted free agent coming out of Limestone back in April but had had a strong training camp and preseason. He had four catches for 94 yards and a TD in the preseason. His TD grab was a 43-yard game-winning catch against the San Francisco 49ers.

The 6-foot-3 Smith joins other SC natives on the roster including DeAndre Hopkins, Jadeveon Clowney Bruce Ellington and Jonathan Joseph. Former Clemson standouts Deshaun Watson, DJ Reader and Carlos Watkins also are in the team.

Smith, who wasn’t heavily recruited coming out of Westwood, turned heads in March when he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at South Carolina’s Pro Day in front of various NFL personnel.

At Limestone, he caught 153 passes for 2,371 yards and 11 TDs. This season, he set career highs in receptions (49) and yards (849) and was a second-team all-conference selection.

This story was originally published September 1, 2018 at 3:46 PM.