Clayton Smith isn’t leaving any stone unturned as the Arizona State defensive end faces his last chance at turning pro.
During spring camp, coach Kenny Dillingham directed fiery refrains of “none of you are on draft boards” at the defensive line on a day it wasn’t performing up to snuff. Smith said it served as the same type of motivation as the external disrespect that helped fuel the Sun Devils in 2024.
“We had a great year, but still, you know, there’s not a lot of guys on draft boards,” Smith said on Aug. 4. “So that’s just a testament to the work we got to put in and the statements we gotta make this season. Because no matter what we did last year, it’s a new year and people are still asleep.”
It had the intended effect, as evidenced by his physical transformation.
Now measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds (up from his spring listing of 245 pounds) with tools such as 22.1 mph top speed, 565-pound squats and 335-pound bench pressing, Smith was named to the annual Freaks List from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.
“This being my last year, it’s my last shot. So I had to give it all I had and it’s just a testament to the work I put in,” Smith said of his placement the list.
Strength and conditioning coach Joe Connolly deserves the credit for where Smith is at physically, the defensive end said.
“I mean, look at what he did,” Smith said, stepping back to showcase his frame. “I gotta give him all the credit for this. I love coach Joe to death. Just the way he challenges our body, our mind, how he really prepares us for anything.”
Arizona State DE Clayton Smith’s 2026 NFL Draft outlook
Smith is getting late-round grades from NFL scouts entering this season, according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid.
“Well, he’s put on the weight. That was the biggest thing for him, making sure he stays healthy and putting on that weight so he can last and be durable,” assistant defensive line coach Vince Amey told Arizona Sports on Friday regarding Smith’s track to the NFL. “Clayton’s a leader, and so he has dreams and aspirations of going to the league.
“If he keeps doing what he’s doing now and plays well, then yes, he’ll get there.”
Smith was able to show some of how he’s improved in Saturday’s Maroon & Gold Scrimmage at Camp T, where the defensive line was the biggest standout. His ability to play contain on the edges with his combination of strength and speed stood out.
He has nine sacks over the past two seasons and after a season where ASU ranked near the bottom in pass rush among Power 4 teams, he’s confident the unit will produce better this season. It often got pressure into the backfield, but getting the quarterback down was another story.
“Just be solid,” Amey said of how Smith can more firmly enter the NFL conversation. “He’s gonna do great things as long as he keeps his mind right and does everything he needs to do. But he’s gotta go out and play and play well and be consistent.”
How Clayton Smith is setting up next group of ASU defensive ends
As one of several defensive linemen who have been core parts of the rotation since he and Dillingham arrived in 2023, the work he has put in will be an example for the young players on how to approach offseasons when the position has an exodus of talent after 2025.
“You can’t just think for you because you got young guys watching you and not even just young guys, you got other older guys watching you,” Smith said.
Being on the Tillman Leadership Council last year and again this season has helped him grow immensely, Dillingham suggested before fall camp began.
“I think that being on the council … has really helped me transform the way I approach life and the game in general,” Smith said. “I think it’s really put a lot of responsibility on me to how I carry myself and how I lead my teammates.”
Redshirt freshmen Salesi Manu and Albert Smith III are two defensive ends who have popped in reps behind the starters of late.