Brashard Smith RB SMU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Brashard Smith RB SMU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Third-Down Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/04/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 04/11/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Third-Down Back | |
| Last Updated: 11/04/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | |
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 04/11/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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76% |
| Break Tackles: |
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66% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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82% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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68% |
| Run Blocking: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#123
Position rank:
#14
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 810 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Born in Richmond Heights, Florida, Smith made his mark at Miami Palmetto Senior High School before beginning his collegiate journey at Miami. A consensus four-star recruit ranked in the Rivals Top 250, Smith garnered offers from elite programs including Alabama, LSU, and Florida before choosing Miami. His high school career showcased his playmaking ability with 36 receptions for 628 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.At Miami, Smith appeared in 35 games, earning Second-team All-ACC honors as a specialist in 2023. He accumulated 69 receptions for 770 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 18 rushes for 177 yards and a touchdown. His versatility showed in the return game, highlighted by a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown against Texas A&M. Smith finished with 1,946 all-purpose yards over three seasons with the Hurricanes.
After transferring to SMU for the 2024 season, Smith exploded onto the ACC scene as a running back. His breakthrough performance came against Pittsburgh, where he rushed for 161 yards including a 71-yard touchdown run. His transition from receiver to running back demonstrated his athletic versatility and playmaking ability in space.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive acceleration and elite top-end speed, consistently outrunning defensive angles and turning routine plays into chunk gains
- Natural hands from his receiver background, presenting legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield with smooth route-running mechanics
- Exceptional vision in space, demonstrated by successful kick return experience and ability to find cutback lanes in zone schemes
- Quick-twitch athlete who can stop-start efficiently, showing remarkable change of direction ability despite limited running back experience
- Versatile offensive weapon capable of lining up in multiple positions, creating matchup advantages against both linebackers and defensive backs
- Demonstrates advanced contact balance for his size, consistently bouncing off initial contact to gain extra yards
- Outstanding burst through holes, hitting top speed quickly and exploiting defensive gaps before they close
- Special teams value as a proven kick returner, adds immediate impact potential while developing as a running back
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame raises concerns about durability and ability to handle consistent between-the-tackles workload at NFL level
- Limited experience as a traditional running back, still developing proper footwork and timing in interior run game
- Pass protection technique needs significant refinement, often relies on athleticism rather than proper blocking fundamentals
- Ball security mechanics require improvement, tendency to carry ball loose when trying to make explosive plays in space
- Interior vision still developing, occasionally misses cutback opportunities when running between the tackles
Scouting Report: Summary
The burst, acceleration, and natural pass-catching traits show Day 2 potential in a spread-based attack. Inside zone and duo concepts maximize his one-cut ability, while his receiver background creates legitimate flex matchups from empty sets. His kick return prowess adds legitimate four-down value during early career development.Best schematic fit comes in a timing-based offense featuring angle routes, swing passes, and designed space plays. Gap-scheme runs allowing him to hit the hole at full speed cover for current vision limitations between the tackles. Zone-heavy systems featuring RPOs and quick screens will maximize his ability to operate in space while minimizing exposure to power situations.
Third-down and sub-package usage provides immediate impact potential while developing traditional running back skills. Core special teams role supplements offensive snaps early, with upside to expand carries pending growth in pass protection and interior run development. Ceiling depends heavily on landing spot - teams must have clear plan to feature his space skills while building complementary power elements.
How other scouting services rate Brashard Smith (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
132.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.