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Brandon Smith NFL Draft Profile
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Brandon Smith Scouting ReportTop shelf speed, length, and explosiveness, Smith has the range to play an impactful role on defense and has the versatility to play flexed out onto the hash and play in the slot—he did that with frequency at Penn State during his first year as a starter. As he becomes more experienced and his instincts allow him to play even faster, Smith will have the potential to be someone you must game plan for and, more importantly, identify ahead of every snap. |
Areas for ImprovementWhile Smith has the versatility to play a significant role in coverage, he didn’t really find a lot of impact there during his first season. Too many of his zone drops were to grass instead of manipulated to windows—and as a result, he spent too much time occupying and covering air. Playing with more discipline will be something to look for. He needs more seasoning as a player in all phases, but much of his “to be determined” dynamics will be boosted heavily by his athletic profile. |
Brandon Smith Career at Penn StateHyper-athletic 4-3 outside linebacker that plays in the box, at overhang, on-ball and off-ball. While Smith played SAM in 2020, he will fill the WILL role in 2021. Smith is a big, long, explosive and fast defender that is capable in run and pass defense. Against the run, he plays with sound gap integrity and patience. He consistently takes deliberate angles to the tackle point to limit cutbacks. When defending the option, Smith reads the mesh point well and stays disciplined. The Penn State linebacker closes downhill at a very high speed and is a big hitter when the opportunity presents itself. He also has flashed when taking on blockers thanks to his length, leverage and strength. Smith has impressive potential in coverage. He has the tools to cover tight ends or running backs in man coverage. In zone coverage, Smith has exhibited sufficient spatial awareness and route recognition while reading the quarterback. He is also a fairly fluid mover in space which enables him to click and close quickly. As a pass rusher, Smith has excellent speed and adequate bend. While the third-year linebacker is still developing, Penn State coaches have spoken highly of his traits and work ethic. |
Brandon Smith NFL Draft Player ProfileWhile Smith is now receiving significant NFL Draft attention, he’s no stranger to the spotlight. The Penn State LB was a standout player for Louisa County High School, earning accolades and acclaim from national and local media. A quiet and reserved young man away from the field, Smith was a different beast on game day. “As quiet and humble as he is off the field, he plays with immense passion and enthusiasm that I wish every kid in football had,” Louisa County head coach Will Patrick told ultimaterecruit.com at the time of his commitment to Penn State. Enthusiasm and talent combined to make Smith a devastating force on the field. As a sophomore, he racked up 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He amassed 165 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles the following year. Morever, Smith flashed versatility as a special-teams contributor with 6 blocked kicks. Unsurprisingly, Smith’s performances drew the eyes of college football programs. A five-star recruit, he was the No. 1 inside linebacker in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 1 player in Virginia. |
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