Eldridge Small
Encyclopedia
Eldridge Small is a former American football defensive back
who played with the National Football League
's (NFL) New York Giants
from 1972 to 1974.
Small attended Wheatley High School
in Houston, Texas, before playing college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas from 1968 to 1971 as a wide receiver
and defensive back. As a receiver, he had 20 touchdown
s in his college career, made 167 receptions, and had 2,547 receiving yards. As of 2011, Small is the Javelinas' all-time receptions leader. Texas A&I won two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
national championships during his team with the team. In the 1972 NFL Draft
, the Giants selected Small in the first round, with the 17th overall pick. He played in 34 games for the Giants over three seasons, intercepting one pass, in 1974. In 1975, the Giants traded Small to the Cleveland Browns
, but he was released before the start of the regular season. Following his NFL career, he began coaching in the Houston Independent School District
. As of 2011, Small coaches for Sterling High School
, working as an offensive coordinator
.
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
who played with the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's (NFL) New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1972 to 1974.
Small attended Wheatley High School
Wheatley High School (Houston)
Phillis Wheatley High School is a secondary school located at 4801 Providence Street in Houston, Texas, United States with a ZIP code of 77020....
in Houston, Texas, before playing college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas from 1968 to 1971 as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and defensive back. As a receiver, he had 20 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s in his college career, made 167 receptions, and had 2,547 receiving yards. As of 2011, Small is the Javelinas' all-time receptions leader. Texas A&I won two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
national championships during his team with the team. In the 1972 NFL Draft
1972 NFL Draft
The 1972 National Football League Draft was held on February 1–2, 1972.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, the Giants selected Small in the first round, with the 17th overall pick. He played in 34 games for the Giants over three seasons, intercepting one pass, in 1974. In 1975, the Giants traded Small to the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but he was released before the start of the regular season. Following his NFL career, he began coaching in the Houston Independent School District
Houston Independent School District
The Houston Independent School District is the largest public school system in Texas and the seventh-largest in the United States. Houston ISD serves as a community school district for most of the city of Houston and several nearby and insular municipalities...
. As of 2011, Small coaches for Sterling High School
Sterling High School (Houston)
Ross Shaw Sterling High School is a secondary school located in Houston, Texas.Sterling, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Houston Independent School District....
, working as an offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
.