Roquan Smith declares for 2018 NFL Draft: Watch highlights
Georgia Bulldogs star linebacker Roquan Smith has declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. Watch highlights of the future first round pick here…
Not unexpectedly, the 2017 Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker Roquan Smith has opted to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Smith was a unanimous All-American selection this past season after he racked up 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
This guy was all over the field in the college football playoff, putting forth his best efforts on the game’s biggest stage.
The great thing about Smith is, the highlight reel is not really misinformation about what kind of a player he is. He’s the type of defensive player that you watch on every single play, and you’re impressed by the different ways he’s capable of wrecking an offensive game plan.
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The one thing that really stands out with this guy is how he combines his incredible speed at the position with instincts. He reads plays so well and is able to close on a play like a cornerback.
There will be plenty of debate between now and the 2018 NFL Draft where Smith fits into the top 10 equation. Not many off-ball linebackers are taken in the top 10 picks, but Smith certainly warrants that type of consideration.
He had a huge junior season and was a major reason why Georgia was able to win the SEC and ultimately make an appearance in the CFP championship game.
When Oklahoma took a big lead in the semi-final round, Smith turned things up a notch in the second half and helped stifle an otherwise unstoppable offense by ruining the Sooners’ running game as well as their short passing game.
This guy is an incredible playmaker at the position and I see him only getting better. I would rank him as a better prospect than Reuben Foster coming out a season ago, and perhaps close to the level of Luke Kuechly coming out of Boston College a few years back.