BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter named Southland Defensive Player of the Year last season when he was also awarded All-American honors. Finished the year with 60/22.5/10.5 lining up at defensive end. Junior-year totals included 68/21/13.5.
POSITIVES: Explosive college pass-rusher who projects to linebacker at the next level. Plays with excellent balance and body control. Bends off the edge and pursues laterally with speed. Quickly adjusts off the initial block, rarely off his feet, and displays great explosion in all aspects of his game. Possesses tremendous first-step quickness, fast making plays out to the sidelines, and quickly changes direction or immediately alters his angle of attack. Works hard to make plays in every direction.
NEGATIVES: Undersized, can be a liability against the run, and handled by large opponents. Rarely asked to play in space.
ANALYSIS: Smith is a terrific athlete who terrorized college quarterbacks the past two years. He must show the ability to make plays moving in reverse if he.s to be anything other than a situational pass-rusher.