Brashard Smith- Running back
School: SMU
Hometown: Richmond Heights, FL
Class: Senior
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 194
40 Time: 4.39
Overview:
Brashard Smith began his college career as a wide receiver with the University of Miami. He transferred to SMU and 2024 was his first season as a full time running back. Smith is slightly undersized at 5'10" and a shade under 200 pounds. As a runner, there are some factors that are not yet fully developed, which should go towards his evaluation. He's not an impatient runner when it comes to letting blocks develop, but that skill will need to improve as he continues to develop at his position. Smith is better than expected on inside runs and can be very slippery at times between the tackles. The receiver aspect should not be minimized. He is not a rusher who can catch. When compared to other more polished RBs, Smith's ability to catch the ball with ease jumps off the screen.
In his time at Miami, Smith did not have gaudy receiving numbers, but the eye test confirms that he by skill is a receiver. If he is to go higher in the NFL Draft than expected, it will be due to his ability to catch the ball and add receiver-like yards after the catch that just isn't naturally in most RB prospects. Smith also adds a special teams component to his draft stock. While with the Hurricanes, Smith had 39 kickoff returns for 875 yards, a 23.3 yards per return average, including a 29 yard return average in 2023. As a runner, there is a lot to like, while knowing he is not a finished product. In his lone season with SMU, Smith finished with over 1,300 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5.7 yards per catch average in the regular season. This includes seven games over the century mark.
While still maintaining a decent average in every game, he didn't go over 100 yards with the exception of two late games (Virginia and the CFB playoff game vs Penn State). Smith is a realistic candidate to be a better pro than college back. He adds value with his athleticism and catching ability, while at the same time has some developing and polishing of his craft as a runner yet to be done. In an absolutely stacked RB draft class, it's likely that Smith will go later than he would, but should still expect to hear his name called before the end of the draft.
Strengths:
-Smith has decent long speed and runs like a receiver (4.39 40-time)
-Not afraid to run up the middle but lacks explosive burst at the line, more slippery than explosive
-Rarely goes down on first contact, almost always tries to work for additional yards
-Very good at catching the ball, even when he's not completely open
-Shows glimpses of being a very good one cut, downhill runner
-His feet are always moving, rarely not in position to cut, jab, or spin out of a tackle
-Doesn't need massive holes to run through, runs slippery inside
-Very low "RB miles"
-Has a knack for catching the ball and finding a running lane even in congested traffic
-Could be viewed as a special teams asset
Weaknesses:
-Has shown the ability to wait for blocks to develop but does not yet do at an NFL level. Will need to work on being a more patient runner
-Will need to add strength to his lower half
-While he is rarely taken down by the first tackler, there are many tackles he should be able to power through and doesn't.
-Pass Pro is a significant concern. Puts his body in the way of the tackler more than he blocks. Many of SMU's bigger pass plays utilized Smith as a weapon more than a blocker, likely by design. To become a 3 down back, he will need to improve a lot as a blocker
NFL Comparison:
Rachaad White
Draft Projection:
In a lesser running back stocked draft, Smith could expect to hear his name called in the latter half of Day 2. With this class being as strong as it is, Smith will be a very likely day three draft pick. Due in large part to being viewed as a running back-in-progress. While his catching ability is a large positive, his lack of polished blocking in pass pro is a large negative. He will start his NFL career like a backup who offers something to special teams, but has the potential to be more
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM.