Alphonso Smith SELECTED BY: Broncos Round 2 (5)

SI Grade 3.97 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference and All-America honors the past two years. Totals last season included 37/7/13 after 44/8/10 as a junior. Intercepted 15 passes in college and broke up forty. Productive special teams player, and has blocked several kicks in college.

POSITIVES: Athletic cornerback who plays with terrific fundamentals and instincts. Fluid and fast pedaling in reverse, can flip his hips in transition, and explodes to the pass out of his break. Displays excellent focus, a great sense of timing, and plays with outstanding body control. Possesses terrific hands for the interception, and catches the ball as though he were a receiver. Feisty, effectively positions himself against opponents to make a play on the ball, and will battle large receivers. Fast, and easily stays downfield with opponents. Comes up the field to defend the run. Gets vertical and contorts to deflect away the ball or pull the pass from the air.

NEGATIVES: Lacks the great size and loses out to tall receivers.

ANALYSIS: Smith is a tremendous cornerback who consistently shuts down the opponent's best receiver. His lack of height may be an issue for teams, yet Smith offers starting potential at the next level, and he can be used in a variety of coverage systems.

PROJECTION: First/Second Round