Drew Smith took another step toward a career in the National Football League.
The Guilderland High School graduate participated in a pro day last Wednesday at Fordham University and so impressed the NFL scouts in attendance that he was kept behind to run several drills.
“They had me run some routes, and the scouts were all watching me,” said Smith. “It was actually kind of nerve wracking, but it was a good sign.”
The 6-foot, 2-inch University at Albany senior tailback set himself apart from the pack by running a 4.53-second 40-yard dash.
“I was really kind of nervous about it because they hold that (40-yard dash time) in such high regard,” said Smith. “I know they were impressed with it.”
After completing several agility drills, Smith was one of two players at the pro day asked by the scouts to stay and show what they could do when asked to run some plays. The scouts liked with what they saw.
“Afterwards, a couple of (NFL) scouts came up to me and said they were hoping to keep me under the radar (on draft day) so they could sign me as a free agent,” said Smith.
Smith is hoping be one of a growing number of NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision players to make the jump to the NFL – a list that includes reigning Super Bowl most valuable player Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens.
“These (NFL) coaches, they don’t look at where you’ve played. They look at what you can do,” said Smith.
Smith has accomplished a lot during his four-year playing career at UAlbany. He’s led the Great Danes in rushing each of the last three years and gained more than 1,000 yards in 2011 and 2012. He was also one of the nation’s leaders in touchdowns last season with 19.
“It was a blast. I had a great time,” said Smith, who gained 4,721 all-purpose yards and scored 45 touchdowns in his career. “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming to Albany. There are so many kids coming in with you, you don’t know if you’re going to make it. I was fortunate to come in and given the chance to contribute right away.”
A quarterback at Guilderland, Smith switched to tailback in his freshman season – a transition he said wasn’t hard to make.
“I was always between those two positions. So, it wasn’t that much of a transition for me,” said Smith.
Smith’s first two seasons at UAlbany showed a steady progression. He rushed for 379 yards in his freshman year while running behind starter David McCarty, and he nearly doubled his yardage in his sophomore season as he gained 753 yards in his first campaign as a starter.
Smith said his biggest leap forward came in his junior season when he rushed for 1,092 yards 10 touchdowns to help the Great Danes win the Northeast Conference title and go to the NCAA FCS tournament.
“I had to change my running style in my junior year,” said Smith. “I had to stop being afraid of contact … and I had to use my size to my advantage.”
Smith put up similar rushing statistics in his senior season, as he gained 1,001 yards on 195 attempts. But it was the number of touchdowns he scored that attracted the attention of the NFL.
“Touchdown production was huge, and that’s probably what got the attention of the scouts,” said Smith.
Between what he did for UAlbany and what he did at the pro day, Smith is hoping he has the resume he needs to get a shot with an NFL club.
“I know the NFL is a tough business. Hopefully, I can make it in and get my foot in the door,” said Smith.
The one thing Smith won’t do is hang around for the phone to ring during the NFL Draft next month. He said he isn’t counting on hearing his name called on any of the three days the draft takes place.
“Let’s be realistic. I’m coming from Albany – not Texas, not USC, not Florida,” said Smith. “My expectations going into draft day? To be honest, to be drafted … would be awesome. But I know a couple of teams have me as a priority free agent. That was my goal from the beginning.”