Jared Smith

Physical Profile

Standing at a verified 6-foot-5 and weighing over 330 pounds, Smith possesses a prototypical frame for a power-blocking guard. His most elite physical trait is his exceptional length, featuring a reported 6-foot-10 wingspan and 13-inch hands. This length provides him with a significant advantage in controlling defenders at the point of attack. While playing left tackle in high school, his build and movement skills suggest a more natural fit at guard in college, where his mass and power can be maximized and potential limitations with lateral agility against speed rushers are mitigated. He is also a multi-sport athlete, having qualified for regionals in shot put and discus, which speaks to his baseline power and explosiveness.

Play Style

Smith is a true road-grader in the run game. He operates with a physical, aggressive mindset and seeks to dominate his opponents. At the snap, he uses his powerful punch and massive frame to generate immediate movement. He played left tackle for his high school team in a spread system but projects best as a gap-scheme guard where he can utilize his strength on down blocks and pulls. In pass protection, he is patient and uses his length to keep defenders at bay, though his game is more about power and engulfing rushers than mirroring them with finesse.

Strengths

• **Elite Size and Length:** His combination of height, mass (330+ lbs), and a nearly 7-foot wingspan is rare and gives him a tremendous natural advantage in creating leverage and controlling engagements.
• **Point-of-Attack Power:** Smith excels at moving defenders off the ball in the run game, showing the ability to generate displacement with a strong initial punch and leg drive. He consistently finishes blocks with a tone-setting temperament.
• **Finisher's Mentality:** On film, he demonstrates a desire to completely neutralize his assignment, often driving defenders to the ground or well out of the play until the whistle blows.
• **Surprising Nimbleness:** Despite his massive frame, he is described as a surprisingly nimble mover in reverse and showed the ability to hold his own in one-on-one pass protection drills against interior rushers at the Under Armour Next camp, where he was named OL MVP.

Areas to Improve

• **Pad Level and Flexibility:** As a taller lineman, he has a tendency to play too high and bend at the waist rather than sinking his hips. Improving his flexibility will be crucial for consistently winning the leverage battle against lower, more compact defensive linemen at the next level.
• **Pass Protection Technique:** While patient in his sets, his footwork can be inconsistent when dealing with elite speed on the edge. A move inside to guard would help, but he will still need to refine his technique, hand placement, and balance against quicker interior pass rushers.

College Projection

Smith projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Four level, likely at offensive guard. Given his need for technical refinement, particularly with pad level and pass-set consistency, a redshirt year or a season of development is the most probable path. His immense size and raw power provide a very high ceiling, and he could develop into an impact starter by his second or third year on campus.

NFL Outlook

Given his 4-star rating, exceptional size and length, and demonstrated power against high-level competition, Smith has clear NFL potential. His success at the next level will be contingent on his ability to refine his technique and maintain his conditioning. If he develops as expected and maximizes his physical tools, he has the potential to be a mid-to-late round NFL Draft selection as a powerful interior offensive lineman.

Best Fit

A program with a strong emphasis on the power run game would be an ideal fit. A pro-style or gap-based blocking scheme that allows him to fire off the ball and utilize his size and strength to create running lanes would maximize his skill set immediately. He would benefit from a program with a strong history of developing offensive linemen technically.