NFL DRAFT: MALIK JEFFERSON AND OTHERS TO WATCH
“It takes a village to raise a child.” That’s thought to be an ancient African proverb. The fact is, nobody has been able to fully validate the origins of that well-used phrase. What is certain, however, is the maxim fully applies to the story of Roquan Smith.
Before it’s all over, Smith might be considered the greatest linebacker ever to don the red and black of the Georgia Bulldogs. We’ll have to give that legacy more time to percolate. Without question, however, he leaves Georgia as one of the program’s most successful and decorated defensive players in modern history.
The winner of the 2017 Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker, Smith piled up 124 tackles last season and led a defense that paved the way for the Bulldogs’ run to the College Football Playoff championship game. On Jan. 8, Georgia (13-2) lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime in the title game and finished with a No. 2 national ranking.
One week later, Smith declared for the NFL draft.
Smith is considered an almost certain first-round pick. Some projections place him among the top 10 selections. For some perspective, the No. 10 pick in the 2017 draft, Patrick Mahomes, signed a contract worth $16.5 million and received a $10 million signing bonus.
That said, everybody around Smith insists he struggled with the decision.
“It was hard on him because he really loved being at UGA,” said Larry Harold, Smith’s coach when he was at Macon County High School in Montezuma, Ga.
Montezuma is in south-central Georgia and in the middle of nowhere, really. It’s mainly an agricultural community, with peaches the No. 1 crop, but soy beans, cotton, peanuts and garden vegetables also are grown in the area. There’s a large pulpwood industry, and it’s also home to the armory of Bravo Company of the Georgia Army National Guard. And to Macon County High School.
Otherwise, not much else. Smith spent his last year in Montezuma working parttime on a crew digging wells for farm irrigation systems.
In addition to his tremendous athleticism, Smith’s work ethic helped distinguished him at Georgia. His work in the training room — and at the training table — took him from 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (his size when he reported to UGA) to 6-2, 225, the size at which he’ll leave.
Smith’s speed was on display week after week last season for the Bulldogs and their opponents as he yanked down ball carriers and receivers from sideline to sideline. Coach Kirby Smart called him the perfect inside linebacker for defending the run-passoption-based spread offenses in the game of today.
“A tackling machine,” Smart called him. “Sideline-to-sideline, relentless, athletic, tough, competitive, leads, talks when needs to, quiet when he needs to be. He has impeccable character. I’m just proud of how hard he works and that he buys into what we believe.”
Passing offenses are also becoming more prevalent in the NFL. That’s why Smith continues to command such a high draft grade, even though he’s not the traditional size of pro linebackers.
“I can’t wait to see him playing pro ball on TV,” Harold said.
“He always talked that, about going to school, getting his degree and going on to the next level. Everything he talked about when he was in high school he has achieved. It’s just great to see. He’s come a long, long way. Not just as a football player. He’s matured so much, became more of a leader, more vocal. It’s just great seeing a kid like that go from a boy to a man.”