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Brandon Smith's junior season highlights

That’s a man amongst boys, tape speaks as to why he can go anywhere in the country
 
Great highlights... fun to watch.

Its amazing how he can play so low when he needs to. Not a lot of 6'5 guys can bend like that. He is a great linebacker but I would be curious to see how good he would be coming off the edge.
 
@anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b the first play on here changed the entire complexion of that game. That was to potentially go ahead by 3 scores. I remember watching that live and thinking “what on earth” was that. Was a momentum changer and hell of a play.

And I kind of like that idea of him playing DE at some point down the road. He could be the wave of the future on the pro level one day. I assume he could easily gain 30 lbs and be still extremely athletic. Could do a lot of damage as DE's increasingly need to be able to cover more space and be more than just a pass rusher.
 
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Smith is long, quick to the ball, takes good angles, tackles well and most importantly never gives up on a play. I get why they may move him to defensive end in college, but the flexibility he brings to the linebacker position is unreal. The kid can play in any defensive set effectively. If he hits the weights and continues to develop we will see this kid on Sunday's. I think he should sit out his senior season and not risk injury. lol.... or risk injury to someone he is playing against.
 
I was thinking the same thing DSH. Very similar in the way they play.
Smith has some things that Maine didn’t have as a senior. To be fair, Maine is just 19 right now, but Smith’s skill along with 3 years at a big time program, he’ll be in the same position that Maine is in. IMO, Smith is a whole lot more aggressive and is a better athlete than Maine was at the high school level. Maine worked his a$$ off at Tech. 2 very very good players, none the less.
 
Smith is long, quick to the ball, takes good angles, tackles well and most importantly never gives up on a play. I get why they may move him to defensive end in college, but the flexibility he brings to the linebacker position is unreal. The kid can play in any defensive set effectively. If he hits the weights and continues to develop we will see this kid on Sunday's. I think he should sit out his senior season and not risk injury. lol.... or risk injury to someone he is playing against.

I do think Brandon Smith can be an amazing linebacker but I think he would be more of a unicorn as a DE at the pro-level. In college, he can play whatever the heck he wants. Either way he is a can't miss via LB or DE. I just think he is a rarer diamond for DE at the pro-level especially given his height and length. But again he will succeed at either.
 
Unless he puts on a ton of weight NFL scouts would likely project him as a pass rush specialist if de is his spot. Its kind of crazy to talk about this now as it may be 4 years down the road. You may be right @mbonape1, but his versatility at the linebacker spot would be tough ignore.
 
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Unless he puts on a ton of weight NFL scouts would likely project him as a pass rush specialist if de is his spot. Its kind of crazy to talk about this now as it may be 4 years down the road. You may be right @mbonape1, but his versatility at the linebacker spot would be tough ignore.

Yeah he is a can't miss no matter what. Agree on all accords! He is just a next level talent. I would say maybe even a "once every 5 years" type of talent. His ceiling is so high
 
Right on mbonape1. I dont know for sure, but having a five star recruit in Class 4 appears to be a rarity. Holmes and Davis from LT were 4 stars and so was Pope. I just can't think of anyone else under the new classifications who was rated that high. Conrats to Louisa and Brandon.
 
For the record, the recruiting services listing him as a DE are outdated now. He's being strictly recruited as a LB, some services just haven't caught up yet.
 
For the record, the recruiting services listing him as a DE are outdated now. He's being strictly recruited as a LB, some services just haven't caught up yet.
Thanks Hoos. That's good to hear. I realize this kid has offers from everyone and its likely he will be schmoozed by the Alabama, Ohio States, and Oklahoma's of the world. Any chance he shuns the big boys and stays at home to play college football?
 
If he plays DE it will be because of versatility to get more of a sub look, doesn’t have the every down trenches body nor skill set IMo. As a LB he’s long and can move, the tape shows he’s not a stranger to contact. Glad to see VA and central Virginia talent getting the recognition that’s deserved.
 
Very impressive numbers. The kid is one of those rare talents and is a human highlight reel, so we will be watching him play for years to come. The crazy thing is he still has a year and a half to continue growing. I am still puzzled at what position he will play at the next level. The expected body types of linebackers and defensive ends have change so much in the past few years to provide for speed rushes and to protect against multiple receivers its just too hard to project. Hoos, how is he developing with his upper body strength in the weight room and do you have a clue where college coaches are projecting the position he will play?
 
@BleedingNavy his upper body strength is coming along great. He works out in Richmond with a former Olympic lifting coach. All colleges project him to play LB.

If that is his no-step vertical that is pretty damn impressive. Even if it was his running vertical it still shows great athleticism. Those numbers really show how high his celling is.
 
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