Grading System

CLIFTON SMITH

Position: ILB Class: Sr School: Syracuse Conference: Big East Ht., Wt.: 6'2½, 253 40 Time: 4.86 Grade: 3.53

BIO: Second-team All-Conference choice as a senior after posting 137 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks and registered his only interception in college. First-team All-Conference selection the prior year after posting 94-11-3. Originally named All-Conference as a sophomore with totals of 108-7-0. Moved into the starting lineup as a true freshman and totaled 66 tackles. POSITIVES: Big, tough middle line defender best moving up the field. Displays a good head for the ball, forceful and defeats blocks on his way to the action. Hard hitting, wraps up tackling and easily brings opponents down on initial contact. Shows a burst of speed in a straight line, plays with forward lean and adequate scraping laterally. NEGATIVES: Stiff, does not redirect or show speed to the flanks. Has difficulties in pass coverage and cannot run downfield with opposing fullbacks. ANALYSIS: Two down defender taken off the field on obvious passing downs. May be better off on the inside in a three-four alignment where his area responsibilities are kept to a minimum. PROJECTION: Early Fourth Round Photo: Eliot Schechter/Getty Images