Braden Smith

physically impressive frame with essential body thickness. core strength to anchor at shallow depth. balanced feet, both in space and when locked up. flexible lower body to drop and roll his hips at contact. clean puller to seal or stick defenders in space. stubborn hands to punch, reload and fire again. reliable – when the offense needs one yard, they often ran behind the right guard. consistent knee bend in pass protection. quick to recover after a jab to his chest. never content, staying busy and searching for a body to lay a lick. no stranger to the weight room. humble up-bringing and not a “me” player – “he has really come a long way from a leadership standpoint.” – auburn head coach gus malzahn. four-year sec academic honor roll and graduated with a degree in education (summer 2017). athletic bloodlines – father (david) played football and ran track at kansas. versatile experience with starts at both guard and tackle. – dane brugler 1/2/2018

WEAKNESSES

active hands, but placement lacks refinement, often landing outside his target. needs to better protect his breast plate. occasionally forgets his feet at the point of attack, which hurt his ability to sustain. low pad level rushers will give him trouble. stout and rarely gives up ground, but not a bully who will simply overwhelm the point of attack. has steadily improved his playing demeanor, but would benefit with a little more killer instinct to his game. – dane brugler 1/2/2018

COMPARES TO

david decastro, pittsburgh steelers – from a physical standpoint, these two players are very similar with their power at the point of attack and ability to hold up as both a run blocker and pass protector. decastro has developed into a pro bowler so this is high praise, but smith has that type of potential if he improves his technique.

IN OUR VIEW

Physically impressive lineman who excels in the weight room and at the line of scrimmage

82 pancake blocks on offense, 59 tackles on defense as a two-way starter his senior season

two-year Buck Buchanan Award finalist (Kansas City metro outstanding lineman)

high school coach was Jeff Gourley

KFBCA Top 11, all-state, all-Midlands, three years all-Sunflower League on both sides of the football

Kansas state shot put and discus champion

Scout No. 1 OG

Rivals No. 3 OL, Top 50 nationally

247sports No. 7 OG, Top 125 nationally

ESPN No. 9 OL, Top 130 overall

MaxPreps All-America.

Son of Jane Smith and David Smith

father played football and ran track at Kansas

sister Megan is a thrower at TCU

birthday is March 25

studying in the College of Education.