Devin Smith Rising Fast Up Draft Boards
Dec 6, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Terrance Floyd (29) during the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Devin Smith is rising up draft boards as fast as he runs by defensive backs. A few weeks ago, he was under the radar, projected into the middle rounds of the draft. And now, it looks like he’s a 2nd-day pick with an opportunity to break into the first round on draft boards.
Smith has taken his place among all of the great receivers the Buckeyes have had in their history this year. He ranks No. 5 in career receiving yards, No. 11 in receptions and No. 2 in touchdowns. He’s No. 1 with 27.7 yards per catch for a season with another game to improve on that.
That puts him within reach of Brennan Marion’s NCAA single-season, record of 31.9 yards per catch. He’s No. 4 in school history and No. 17 in NCAA history with a career 20.5 yards per catch. But the bad thing about that company is of the Top-17 in NCAA history, only Andre Rison, Herman Moore and Henry Ellard did major damage in the NFL.
They take 1-trick-ponies away in the NFL but the good thing about Smith is that’s not what he is. At 6’1″, 200 pounds, he’s strong and has the agility to get of the line of scrimmage as he is college football’s best gunner. In case you don’t know, the gunner lines up on the outside like a receiver on the punt-team.
He’s expected to be the first one down to tackle the punt returner and usually has two guys lined up on him. His head coach, Urban Meyer told NFL.com of Smith, “He’s the best gunner and the great thing is the Bill Belichicks of the world, NFL coaches, his stock is soaring right now.”
That agility makes him a solid route-runner with good acceleration out of his breaks to get separation. His build and strength give him the courage to catch the ball over the middle or underneath. He’s even dangerous there because he has moves and tackle-breaking strength to run well after the catch.
Then of course, he has excellent hands that can pluck the ball out of the air away from his body in traffic. But his ability to track down a deep ball along with his blazing speed is what makes him special. And if he happens to have someone there, he has a great vertical leap to go up and get one.
Charles Davis of NFL.com said Smith, “Devin Smith plays the ball was well as anyone in the country including Amari Cooper. When that ball is in the air, he goes and makes plays on it and that allows Cardelle Jones to show off his big arm. So just throw it up in 1-on-1 situations and say, ‘Go get it for me big boy.’ and they do it.”
He doesn’t get mentioned with the big boys like Cooper of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Louisville Cardinals receiver DeVante Parker.
But could he start with a big game on Monday night?
What about the college All-Star games?
He’s going to rival Miami Hurricanes’ receiver Phillip Dorsett for fastest 40-time at the combine.
He’ll also have a vertical leap of around 40 inches.
So how much more can he rise before the draft?
If deceased Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis were alive, we’d know where he would go?