UCF’s Smith enjoys solid week in Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. — UCF has three players in today’s Senior Bowl at LaddPeebles Stadium, but of all of them, the one who has had the most difficult time standing out this week has been wide receiver
It’s not because of Smith’s ability. He has plenty of that and he’s been impressive at times during practices this week. It’s just that with so many receivers trying to draw the attention of the NFL scouts on hand, it’s difficult to separate from the rest of the pack. Guys like of Penn State,
of Miami and of Oklahoma State have been putting on a show. Smallschool players, including Penn’s have also gotten their share of good reviews from NFL Draft analysts on site. To his credit, Smith is just enjoying the moment. He hasn’t put extra pressure on himself to be anything other than what he’s been all season, which is the best receiver from the only undefeated team in college football.
“I’m happy to be here. It gives me the opportunity to get myself out there more for the people who don’t really know me,” Smith said. “Right now, I’m taking full advantage of the opportunity and I’m glad I received the invitation to be here. It means a lot.” COMMENTARY
It’s also been difficult for any of the receivers to develop a good connection with the Senior Bowl quarterbacks given that they’ve had just three days to work together. On the first day, most analysts and scouts graded the quarterbacks as sub-par. They were missing targets, overthrowing balls and just came across as rusty overall. Things were better during the course of the next two days, but once a quarterback zeroes in on a favorite target, those left on the outside fall victim to limited opportunities.
So even though Smith had a solid showing in the three practice sessions this week, it has not exactly been easy to rise above the rest of the talent.
Nonetheless, Smith is holding his own. He’s shown his ability to catch balls in traffic and that he has good hands.
He also runs tight routes, which will help him at the next level, but it’s his blocking skills and leadership qualities that might separate him from many of the receivers coming out for the draft.
Former UCF head coach and offensive coordinator
used to always boast about Smith’s ability to make other players on the field better.
“Tre'Quan has been phenomenal. You see what he can do on the field, but he's been phenomenal behind the scenes,” Walters said during the days leading up the UCF’s victory over Auburn at the Peach Bowl. “We are playing four true freshman receivers, and so he's kind of been that role model. He's kind of been that big brother. He's been that example of showing them how to be great and those guys look up to him.”
Smith, like teammate and tight end left UCF with a year of college eligibility remaining, so it can be a little nerve-wracking leading up to the draft for early entries as they mull the question of whether they made the right choice.
“A lot of NFL scouts said they had no clue that I was going to come out early, so it does make me a little nervous,” Smith said. “But at the same time, I know what I’m capable of and I know I have good potential and if I come [to the Senior Bowl] and compete and give it my all, I’ll have high expectations.”