UCLA defensive lineman Gary Smith and offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio both completed their NFL Combine workouts over the weekend. The duo will now wait until the NFL Draft at the end of April to see if their names get called.
We take a look at how Smith and DiGiorgio performed at the Combine below.
DT GARY SMITH III
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 319 pounds
Arm length: 32 1/2''
Hand size: 9 3/4''
Vertical jump: 28''
Production score: 55 (28th among defensive tackles)
Athleticism score: 62 (26th among defensive tackles)
Total score: 60 (26th among defensive tackles)
Prospect grade: 5.86 (average backup or special teamer projection)
Prospect breakdown from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein:
Overview
Smith is a squatty, space-eating nose tackle with a wide, powerful base. He can be reached/sealed by centers on move blocks but is more than capable of using his natural leverage to grow deep roots and occupy blocks against downhill schemes. He offers no rush help but it won't matter for teams looking to fortify their interior against the run. Smith has a chance of finding a roster home as a late draft pick or undrafted free agent signee.
Strengths
Dropped weight, adding quickness and production to his game.
Built like a dump truck with a broad chest and girthy lower half.
Stay square and firm through lateral block engagements.
Twitchy upper body allows for violent block sheds.
Heavy base grows deep roots when taking on double teams.
Short but peeks past the block to quickly locate the runner.
Absorbs angle blocks and battles back into position.
Weaknesses
Frequently beaten to lateral landmarks and sealed by center.
Below-average hand quickness and placement into blockers.
Ends up on the ground too often.
Lacks range to make plays beyond a gap away.
Flailing arms and legs generate no momentum when rushing.
OG GARRETT DIGIORGIO
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 319 pounds
Arm length: 32 5/8''
Hand size: 10 1/8''
Broad jump: 8' 10''
Vertical jump: 29.5''
40-yard dash: 5.36 seconds
10-yard split: 1.86 seconds
Bench press: 24 reps
Production score: 54 (21st among offensive guards)
Athleticism score: 69 (20th among offensive guards)
Total score: 57 (20th among offensive guards)
Prospect grade: 5.68 (bottom of roster or practice squad projection)
Prospect breakdown from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein:
Overview
DiGiorgio has good size, but he will need to play full-time at guard to have a chance due to his athletic limitations. He has no issues with toughness. He's able to play with some force but he's unable to fit up and stay connected against moving targets. Issues with body control and foot quickness might be too tall a hill to climb unless he can perfect his technique and play in power rushing attacks.
Strengths
Stays square for a good while in his pass sets.
Finds work as a clean-up man when he's uncovered.
Despite his height, comes off the ball with good pad level.
Rips upward hand strikes into defender's frame at contact.
Able to unlock lower half and roll hips into the block.
Plays until he hears the whistle and looks to finish with authority.
Weaknesses
Below-average muscle mass and definition throughout his upper body.
Can be knocked back by an average bull rush inside.
Slow reaction time dooms him when trying to recover against rushers crossing his face.
Inconsistent footwork to match slanting fronts and fit up his block.
Struggles badly to stay centered and sustain as both a run and pass blocker.
Poor change of direction in space when asked to make climbing/pulling blocks.