Kevin Smith SELECTED BY: Detroit Lions Round 3(1)

SI Grade 3.73 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter awarded All-American and All-Conference honors last season after posting 450/2567/29 with receiving totals of 24/242/1. Posted 934 rushing yards as a sophomore after 1178 the previous year.

POSITIVES: Instinctive, hard-running ball-carrier with the ability to create yardage. Runs with outstanding vision, finds the cut-back lanes, and loses little momentum when he must change direction. Weaves his way through the inside finding the openings on the field, makes defenders miss, and quickly gets through the cut-back lanes. Runs with balance and body control. Keeps his feet moving up the field and breaks arm tackles. Uses blocks everywhere on the field and will pick his spots. Squeezes through the small creases of the defense. Very quick in all aspects of his game.

NEGATIVES: Not a natural pass-catcher. Does not display the speed to beat defenders around the corner or in the open field. Not a smooth or fluid ball-carrier.

ANALYSIS: Smith has been ultra-productive the past three seasons and he was a workhorse back at Central Florida. He possesses the size and football smarts to play at the next level, but he is a bit overrated at this point. Smith will need time to get accustomed to the speed of the NFL, yet he could find his way into a starting role down the line.

PROJECTION: Early Third Round