Giants take UNI’s Elerson Smith in fourth round

Elerson Smith had to wait about 12 hours longer than teammate Spencer Brown, but just before noon Saturday the fantastic Northern Iowa defensive end heard his name called in the NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 252-pound Smith was taken with the 11th pick of the fourth round, 116th overall, by the New York Giants.

“I can’t wait to hear his name called, too, so I can congratulate him,” Brown said Friday night after being selected 93rd overall in the third round by Buffalo.

This is the fourth time UNI has had multiple players selected in the NFL draft and the first since 2018 when Chad Rinehart was taken in the third round by Washington and Brandon Keith in the seventh by Arizona.

The Panthers also had multiple picks in 1966 (Randy Schultz and

Doug Korver) and in 1976 (Bill Salmon and Mike Timmermans).

After an impressive 2019, Smith opted out of UNI’s abbreviated 2020-21 season to train for the draft and he spent the time wisely.

Adding bulk and speed, Smith first wowed at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and then put on an off-the-charts display during UNI’s pro day in

March where he produced a 41 ½ inch vertical leap, a 127 inch broad jump and bench 225 pounds 26 times. He also ran a 4.69 40.

Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said this to SI.com after Smith’s week-long performance, “One of the biggest risers out of Senior Bowl week is UNI football’s Edge Elerson Smith. He has elite tools, will blow up his pro day, and was arguably the most impressive physical specimen at weigh-ins. Oh, and he can rush inside and outside.”

In 2019, Smith had 62 quarterback

pressures to go with his 14 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 21.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and 64 total tackles.

For his career, Smith had 32 ½ tackles for loss, 22 sacks and 16 QB hurries.

Smith finished his career ranking among UNI’s Top 10 in 12 different statistical categories.

Brown said it was a nobrainer for an NFL team to take Smith because he knew how talented the Minneapolis native was from daily battles at UNI practices.