|
Last Updated: Mar 25th, 2005 - 10:07:31 |
Alex Smith may not be a common household name, but it is likely to become one after the upcoming NFL draft where he could be picked as the #1 overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers. Smith, quarterback for the Utah Utes, worked out Wednesday for pro scouts and coaches, including 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban. Representatives from all of the NFL teams were also present to watch Smith.
Smith’s private workout at Utah’s indoor practice facility was the first time he had thrown for NFL scouts. The NFL representatives were not disappointed by the performance Smith put on. He threw approximately 80 passes and had only 3 hit the ground. Of the three incompletions thrown by Smith, two balls were dropped by Utah wide receiver Paris Warren, and one was an overthrow to NFL bound wide receiver Steve Savoy. The workout ended with Smith and three fellow Utes getting a nice ovation by the NFL staffers.
Smith completed the 40 yard run, shuttle run and vertical jump and other non-football tests in the combines held last month, but opted for the comforts of home when it came to throwing. He wanted to showcase his skill with both a receiving group and facility he knew inside and out—and it worked.
Smith is arguably the best quarterback in the 2005 draft class. He considers himself the top quarterback with an impressive college resume to support his claim. Smith was 21-1 as a starter for Utah, topping it off with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Smith ranked fifth in the nation in total offense, averaging 298.58 yards per game. He finished the season with 2,952 yards passing and completed 214 of 317 pass attempts (67.5 percent) with 32 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Alex Smith was named The Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He finished setting school career records for pass-completion percentage, passer efficiency (162.7) and yards gained per completion (13.5).
Smith is not only athletic, but also highly intelligent. He graduated in 2 years with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and is currently working on his master’s degree in that field. He graduated with a 3.74 GPA. Smith’s father played Quarterback at Weber State, and his Uncle John is the Head coach at Michigan State. All things added up—skill, brains, and football upbringing—it looks like Alex Smith may indeed be the #1 QB, if not the #1 pick overall in the upcoming NFL draft.
© Copyright 2005 by 3ANDOUT.com
Top of Page
|
