2014 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Hakeem Smith, S, Louisville Cardinals
October 13, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Hakeem Smith (29) in pass coverage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Louisville Cardinals won 45-35. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 187 pounds
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Scouting Report/Player Notes
Durable safety who led the Louisville defense with 88 tackles as a redshirt freshman, and has started 38 straight games to begin his collegiate career. Going into his senior season, the pre-season first-team All-AAC selection and 2012 second team Big East selection looks like one of the best players at his position in the country. Does a great job of leading the defense and making tackles, but the biggest knock on him to this point is just one career interception going into his senior season. He definitely doesn’t have a problem getting his hands on the ball, breaking up 17 passes in his first three seasons as a starter for the Cardinals, he just hasn’t been able to quite finish the play to this point in terms of INTs. This is a guy who is tough, physical, and can give an NFL team another striker who can play in the box and attack downfield. I’m excited to see how he progresses and what kind of athletic measurables he is able to post.
Career Highlights (via Louisville athletics site)
• Three-year starter at safety
• Three-time All-BIG EAST Selection (First team 2011; Second team 2010, 2012)
• 2010 BIG EAST Conference Newcomer of the Year
• Credited with 245 career tackles
2012 (JR.)
• Started all 13 games at safety
• Finished third on the team with 73 tackles
• Added seven pass breakups
• Tallied seven tackles and a pass break-up in the Sugar Bowl win over Florida
• Added nine tackles in a road loss at Syracuse
• Registered six tackles and recovered a fumble in a win over Temple
• Posted seven stops against South Florida in a 27-25 win
• Credited with 10 tackles in season-opening win versus Kentucky
• Finished with six or more tackles seven times
2011 (SO.)
• Started all 13 games at safety
• Tied for second on team with 84 tackles, which was the second-most in career
• Led the team with nine pass breakups
• Finished with four tackles for loss
• Had stretch of three-straight games with 10 or more tackles (West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Connecticut)
• Had 10 tackles versus Marshall
2010 (R-FR.)
• Made first start against Eastern Kentucky in second game of season and has not been out of starting lineup since
• Led the team with 88 tackles
• Had six tackles for loss
• Made eight tackles in bowl win versus Southern Mississippi
• Tallied 13 tackles at Syracuse
• Made 11 stops at Pittsburgh
Stats
Hakeem Smith defensive stats via CFBStats.com
Video Highlights (via YouTube)