Smith makes smooth impression at NFL combine

By John Hillman  |   Sunday, February 22, 2009  |  Comments( 2 )

Baylor Bears
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

One year ago, scouts barely mentioned Jason Smith as a professional prospect. But after the NFL combine, analysts now slot the 310-pound offensive tackle from Baylor as a top 10 pick.

Smith, who carries the nickname “J Smooth,” impressed the pros with both his strength and speed. In the 225-pound bench press, he registered 33 repetitions, the third-highest total. The first All-America offensive lineman from Baylor since 1980 also timed a 5.22 in the 40-yard dash.

NFL teams have no need to worry about Smith understanding their playbooks. He graduated in May 2008 with a degree in recreation and spent this past fall in graduate school.

However, few predicted a professional future for the Dallas native when he signed the Bears in 2004. Smith brought a 6-foot-6 frame to the college ranks but entered school as a 225-pound tight end.

After redshirting his first year, Smith saw limited action as a receiver in 2005, catching six passes for 70 yards and one touchdown. Former Baylor head coach Guy Morriss, a 15-year NFL offensive line veteran, switched Smith to right tackle the next season. The move paid dividends as the ex-receiver started every game in 2006 and took 789 snaps, the third-highest total on the team.

Smith took over the left tackle duties the next season but suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in the opener against TCU. Although the injury forced the tackle to miss five games, he still earned honorable mention All-Big XII honors. At year’s end, most NFL draft experts tabbed him a low third- to high fourth-round pick.

In 2008, Art Briles took over the head coaching duties at Baylor, and Kaz Kazadi arrived as the new strength coach. Kazadi’s revamped conditioning program allowed Smith to maintain his weight but reduce his body fat and increase his muscle mass.

As a result, Baylor’s rushing totals jumped from 934 yards in 2007 to 2,349 last season, a 251 percent increase and most since 1981. The Bears also scored 29 touchdowns on the ground, the highest number since 1994.

Prior to the combine, NFL pundits considered Smith, Virginia’s Eugene Monroe and Alabama’s Andre Smith the top three tackle candidates. Many experts believe the St. Louis Rams will select an offensive tackle with the second overall pick.

Because of Andre Smith’s bizarre behavior in Indianapolis, the Rams’ choice most likely narrows to either Monroe or Jason Smith. The Alabama lineman, who had been suspended by the Crimson Tide for the Sugar Bowl, returned home without undergoing testing and failed to inform the NFL of his decision. Later, the junior tackle, who opted to enter the NFL draft early, admitted he hadn’t prepared for the workouts and wasn’t in shape to be tested.

Now it appears one Smith’s bad fortune may turn out to be another Smith’s gain.
Got something to say?

Log In and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today. ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report