Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 238 pounds
School: USC Trojans
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.69 seconds
Bench press: 15 reps
Vertical jump: 39 inches (third-best among linebackers)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 3 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds
Cameron Smith 2019 NFL Draft Profile
In college football today, it is rare to have a player who stays during all four years of eligibility. However, it is ever more rare that a player is a four-year starter. Cameron Smith, born and bred in California, did not go far when choosing a college. At USC, Smith found the field quickly and was the heart of that defense for all four years. Smith started in 35 out of a possible 37 games. In his career, he racked up 273 tackles, where 19 of those were for losses. Additionally, he had 2.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and added four interceptions even turning one of them into a pick-six.
It is perplexing that Smith is not getting more attention prior to the draft. He is as clean cut as they come when scouts are looking to check off the boxes when looking at prospects. Smith was reliable and always available come game time, certainly has the stats from those games and was voted captain of a historic college team. Former players who have played at the NFL level such as Brian Cushing, who is a former USC Trojan lauds Smith for his work ethic and overall ability. Reporters have even named him the best linebacker in the draft. Incredibly enough, the majority of major media mock drafts do not even have him going in the first three rounds.
Our No. 16 returning player this year in college football:@USC_Athletics LB Cameron Smith! #FightOn #CampusInsiders pic.twitter.com/fmawnSqBtb
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 9, 2018
Strengths
- leader, he commands in the huddle and on the field;
- aggressive tackler – does not wait for contact but rather initiates it;
- reaction time is tremendous;
- reads the play before the snap regularly;
- wraps with his head up;
- a quick decision-maker who will blow up a play if he sees a window;
- stuffs the inside run;
- well-coached and respected amongst his teammates.
Weaknesses
- lacks make-up speed if he is behind;
- needs to improve timing blitzes;
- occasionally runs himself out of tackle attempts by coming in too steep;
- linemen can leverage him on the second level;
- needs to improve fighting off blocks and work on block slip moves.
NFL Comparison: K.J. Wright
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins.
Projection: Mid fourth to late fifth round pick
Bottom Line
Cameron Smith is an old school linebacker. He loves to draw a line in the sand and say, “if you can cross it, then you have my respect.” He was the heart and soul of that Trojan defense. From start to finish in his career at USC, Smith did things the right way. His teammates admired his work ethic and were inspired by his play. He is not the flashy player that is getting all of the attention but he’s the guy who will make the biggest play of the game, celebrate with his teammates right after then go break down film looking for mistakes after the game. Smith is constantly looking to improve and get better. That is a sign of a champion. Wherever he goes, he is going to make an impact. With the right coach or veteran to show him the ways, he could be a perennial Pro Bowler for years to come.
