Nolan Smith Scouting Report: NFL Draft Prospect Report

 

Linebacker, Georgia Bulldogs, # 4

 

Measurements

6 ‘ 3 ” / 235 lbs

40 Time: 4.56 seconds

 

Nolan Smith NFL Draft Player Profile

Nolan Smith wasn’t doing me any favors when I was watching his teammate Lewis Cine on film last week. I figured it would be almost impossible to strictly pay attention to Cine when watching the Georgia film, but I didn’t think it would be as difficult as it was. Smith being a playmaker was a huge part of that. His name and number kept popping up and one thought kept coming to me: I want to take a deeper look at this guy. Smith has deserved plenty of attention with a strong first six games. He will be a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Smith was rated as a consensus five-star prospect by multiple outlets coming out of IMG Academy in Florida. He was widely considered as a top-five prospect nationally and the top pass rushing prospect. He enrolled at Georgia a semester early in 2019 so he could participate in spring ball. Smith was coming in with sky-high expectations, even at a school that breeds five-star recruits. Thus far, it is easy to see that those expectations were warranted.

College

As a true freshman, Smith was thrust into immediate action, which speaks volumes to his natural talent and maturity. He appeared in all 14 games, totaling 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks while bringing home Georgia’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. As a sophomore in a marginally increased role, Smith drew a few starting assignments and totaled 22 tackles and 20 QB pressures. Smith entered his junior season in 2021 as an underrated part of a loaded defense, but has been one of the standouts thus far. Smith is Georgia’s fourth-leading tackler with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble as well. His performance against South Carolina won him SEC Defensive Player of the Week and showed the capabilities he possesses as a game-wrecker.

 

Nolan Smith Strengths

 

Size & Tools

Smith has tantalizing size for a linebacker prospect. Standing at 6’3, Smith is a long and wiry athlete who possesses all the physical tools you would want. He has long arms to help him out defending the pass or as a rusher and has an impressive muscular build. His frame will allow him to put on some additional weight depending on where NFL teams want to use him.

 

Athleticism

The straight-line speed on Smith is extremely impressive, as one can tell by his 40-time. More importantly, he also plays fast as evidenced by watching his film. He also has the lateral quickness to stick with twitchy athletes in space. Smith doesn’t struggle with changing directions when he knows he has to. Perhaps the thing that stands out most when watching Smith is his quickness and bend coming off the edge. He has the ability to turn the corner and win with pure speed.

 

Pursuit & Tackling

Like his teammate Lewis Cine, Smith plays with great effort. His impressive pursuit and motor allow him to chase down ball carriers once they get to the second level. Smith can play from sideline-to-sideline when asked and can be relied on to make open field tackles. He hits hard and plays physical in the trenches.

Nolan Smith Areas for Improvement

 

Strength

If Smith predominantly is an edge player at the next level, he must add some strength to his frame. The ability to put on additional muscle shouldn’t be a concern because of his frame, but as of now he lacks the necessary strength to be an every-down player at that position. He will be forced to hold his gaps in the run game and teams could wear him down by running to his side.

 

Coverage Instincts

 

Smith plays really fast when he is comfortable with his assignment and doesn’t struggle coming downhill, but when asked to cover he can be a little slow to react. The mental aspect of his game needs to come along better because he isn’t the quickest to diagnose right now. Against inferior college talents it doesn’t show up as much, but he won’t get away with that on Sundays

 

Position Fit

Where will he play? The potential versatility he offers could be a strength if he proves he can play inside backer and as an edge adequately. However, right now his best fit seems on the edge. There isn’t a worry about his ability to get to the quarterback, Especially once he develops more pass-rushing moves and adds to his frame. The question is, do teams see him as a true 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE? Or do they see more of an inside linebacker who can be asked to blitz and play up in the box?

 

Nolan Smith Final Thoughts and Draft Stock

Nolan Smith oozes natural talent and possesses raw skills that most football players dream of. He has the pedigree of a top recruit in the country and a top performer on one of college football’s most vaunted defenses. Can someone find where he fits best and develop a consistent difference maker in the NFL? He may begin his career as mainly a special teams contributor, playing in a few special packages. It isn’t difficult to envision Smith as an every-down type of player a year or two down the line. After all, he is only 20 years old. I think he is worth the small gamble as a Day Two selection.

Nolan Smith NFL Comparison: Haason Reddick

Nolan Smith Scouting Report by Justin Trevisani