Former South Carolina football, Alabama baseball player Chris Smelley reported as missing
Scary news coming out of Walton County in Florida, as former South Carolina football and Alabama baseball player Chris Smelley has been reported as missing. He was last seen in a kayak around 8:30 a.m. but has not been found since. Authorities in the area, including the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL, are actively searching for Smelley.
“WCSO SEARCHING FOR MISSING KAYAKER IN THE GULF OFF GRAYTON BEACH,” the Walton County Sheriff’s department said via X.
“Walton County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach.
“Chris Smelley, 37, went fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 am and has not returned.
“WCSO and South Walton Fire District have jet skis in the water off of Grayton Beach searching for Chris.
“The United States Coast Guard out of Mobile has been notified. Florida Fish and Wildlife has launched from the Inlet at Destin Pass and is heading east towards Grayton.
“If anyone sees Chris or spots his blue and black kayak, please call us (850)-892-8111.”
A photo of the kayak Smelley was using was also posted on social media.
More on Chris Smelley, playing days in the SEC with South Carolina and Alabama
Smelley was a member of the 2006 recruiting class, signing with South Carolina to be a quarterback under head coach Steve Spurrier. Injuries were the storyline of the early part of his career but Smelley wound up being a nice player for the Gamecocks by his junior season.
In 21 career games, Smelley threw for 3,210 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 22 touchdowns. He was the starter for South Carolina during the 2008 season after Tommy Beecher suffered an injury in the season opener against North Carolina State.
When looking at the program’s record books, Smelley appears multiple times. He is within the top 10 of attempts, completions, and total touchdowns.
Smelley did not play football into his senior season. Instead, he transferred to Alabama and decided to pick baseball back up. He was not eligible to participate in the 2009 season and despite being on the team, Smelley did not record a statistic in 2010.
Once his playing days were over, Smelley got involved in coaching. He took over at his alma mater, American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, and was named the head coach in 2014. But Smelley resigned ahead of the 2021 season due to personal reasons.