Lots of yards, but no hype, for RB prospect Smith

[KB]

Apirl 23 - USA Today

You won't find Kevin Smith's name in anybody's mock draft for the first round. After rushing for 2,567 yards last season  just 61 yards shy of Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season record  and leading the nation with 29 touchdowns, the Central Florida running back's name might not even get called on the first day of the draft.

It's a projection which makes Smith a bit queasy. He allows that the running back crop, led by Arkansas' Darren McFadden and bolstered by a cache of juniors like himself, is deep.

Yet according to NFLDraftScout.com, Smith ranks as just the 10th-best running back prospect.

"To me, it should be about what you've done on the field," Smith, the only rusher in NCAA history besides Sanders to crack 2,500 yards in a season, said last week from Fort Lauderdale. "I don't understand."

This process is seemingly more wrenching because Smith opted out of his senior season after originally declaring he would return. He never petitioned the NFL's draft advisory board for the evaluation that many juniors use while weighing their future. Now, if draft experts are correct, he might be a third- or fourth-round pick.

"One thing with this NFL draft," he says, "if you're not a top-10 pick, you've got to put your pride and ego aside."

Smith (6-1, 217) timed at 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which is nothing special for a running back. McFadden, for example, clocked at 4.33. Although Smith's time improved at his pro day (4.47), he'd rather consider evidence beyond a stopwatch to gauge his functional speed. Like game-day speed.

He mentions North Carolina State's speedy DaJuan Morgan, the second-ranked free safety in what is considered a lean year for that position.

"I clearly ran right by him," Smith says of last season's opener. "I don't understand."

Another question involves competition. Smith likes to note that for three years he dominated Conference USA, but that brand of Division I-A football is not to be confused with the SEC.

"Everybody puts their jersey on the same way," Smith says. "Ask some of the guys at Texas. I murdered them. N.C. State, I murdered them, too."

Smith, who led UCF to a second conference crown in three years, rushed for 149 yards in a 35-32 loss to Texas. He stung the Wolfpack for 217 yards in a 25-23 victory.

"A lot of people say it's tougher to figure (small-school) guys out. It's really not," says San Francisco 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan. "If a guy produces, a guy produces. He's a good football player. There is a reason why he ran for so many yards."

Tim Salem, UCF's offensive coordinator, sees the toughness. Smith logged an NCAA-record 450 carries in 2007. But vision, Salem offers, is Smith's best attribute.

Salem recalls an 80-yard touchdown run against Southern Methodist. As a defender closed in from behind along the sideline, Smith lost him with a quick inside cut.

"The next day I asked him, 'How did you know when to cut?' " Salem said.

" 'Coach, I saw his shadow.' "

Smith didn't even play running back as a senior at Miami Southridge High after a new coach played him at safety. He chose UCF because it was the only school that would let him play running back.

Now he'll have to prove worthy again.

"They're sleeping on me," he says. "But I know what I'll be in the NFL. I'm going to be something. I know how to play this game."

Smith expects something else, too.

"There will be some top-round busts in this draft, too," he says. "No doubt."

The party is back on. A few weeks ago, considering his modest stock and the prospect of not being selected on the first day of the draft, Smith told his family and friends to drop plans to celebrate his entrance into the NFL.

But he's had a change of heart.

"My mom made me realize that there is no reason to mope about it," he says. "I'll still get drafted. … Getting drafted, regardless of where and what slot, is still special. Now I'm excited about all of this."

[flsportsfan83]

he murdered Texas? He did not do enough. THEY STILL LOST.

He sounds like a thug.

[flsportsfan83]

and by the way. The day he declared I stated that he would not be taken any earlier than the 10th running back, and the ucf clowns laughed at me. We shall see, but I may be the last one laughing.....

;D

[22ndStBULL]

When you put up your yards against bush league oppon. what do you expect???

What did he do against USF????

Oh yea, thats right  >

[OmniKnight]

You're a douchebag. If you knew anything about 24K, you would know he's not a thug. I do think it was a poor choice of words, and a bit arrogant. But you have to remember who his agent is - that's why the UCF faithful were angered when they learned that he would be representing Kevin.

I also think a lot of people overestimated his draft position, and I too said from day 1 that he should have taken another year to prove himself further and avoid this insane RB class. At the end of last season he was in every discussion for Heisman candidacy for 08-09 season. Bad decision.

[flsportsfan83]

You're a ******bag. If you knew anything about 24K, you would know he's not a thug. I do think it was a poor choice of words, and a bit arrogant. But you have to remember who his agent is - that's why the UCF faithful were angered when they learned that he would be representing Kevin.

I also think a lot of people overestimated his draft position, and I too said from day 1 that he should have taken another year to prove himself further and avoid this insane RB class. At the end of last season he was in every discussion for Heisman candidacy for 08-09 season. Bad decision.

is quote made him sound like a thug.

[___ Eats It]

You're a ******bag. If you knew anything about 24K, you would know he's not a thug.

Actually, Omni, I've seen his Facebook and Myspace photos, and up until just before the start of this past football season, he had photos of himself with two 40's in each hand and wads of money stuffed into his waistband, flashing signs at the camera.  One of his buddies even was posing in the same set of photos with a handgun.

He may not BE a thug (I don't know him and can't and won't make that judgement), but he sure looked like one.  I'm sure O'Leary and UCF hit the roof when those pictures were brought to their attention and made him remove them... as they should have.

[___ Eats It]

"Everybody puts their jersey on the same way," Smith says. "Ask some of the guys at Texas. I murdered them. N.C. State, I murdered them, too."

Hey, Kev, how'd you do against USF?  I didn't see you mention them...

[Triple B]

he murdered Texas? He did not do enough. THEY STILL LOST.

He sounds like a thug.

Good Lord, that's not thug talk .... Delusional, pompous arrogance maybe, but not thug-like. He and the Slime King may be a perfect fit.

[flsportsfan83]

You're a ******bag. If you knew anything about 24K, you would know he's not a thug.

Actually, Omni, I've seen his Facebook and Myspace photos, and up until just before the start of this past football season, he had photos of himself with two 40's in each hand and wads of money stuffed into his waistband, flashing signs at the camera.  One of his buddies even was posing in the same set of photos with a handgun.

He may not BE a thug (I don't know him and can't and won't make that judgement), but he sure looked like one.  I'm sure O'Leary and UCF hit the roof when those pictures were brought to their attention and made him remove them... as they should have.

I saw those as well.... Should have saved them