Braden Smith

OG, OT · Auburn
A three-year starter at Auburn, Smith arrived on campus with lofty expectations and showed steady improvement each season. He especially blossomed the last two seasons under the watchful eye of veteran offensive line coach Herb Hand, who arrived at Auburn in 2016. Following Auburn’s win over Alabama, Hand tweeted: “I’ve had the privilege to coach some great players in my career ... Braden Smith is at the top of that list.” Smith helped pave the way for RB Kerryon Johnson to lead the SEC in rushing (120.0 yards per game) in 2017 and on most run plays, defenses simply needed to locate No. 71 because the run was usually going behind him. He looks the part and checks the necessary NFL boxes with his athleticism, strength and intelligence to stay between ball and defender. BACKGROUND A four-star offensive guard recruit out of high school, Smith was a two-way starter at Olathe South and the highest recruited player to ever come out of the program – also won the Kansas state championship in the shot put and discus. He received offers from all the major programs like Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame, but he whittled his list down to TCU (where his sister, Megan, competes in track and field), Auburn and Texas A&M, ultimately choosing the Tigers on signing day. Smith spent his true freshman season as a reserve, earning his first career start (right tackle) in the bowl game against Wisconsin. He became a starter as a sophomore in 2015, primarily at right guard while also filling in at right tackle. Smith returned to right guard as a junior in 2016 and again started all 13 games, earning Second Team All-SEC honors. Smith returned for his senior season and started all 14 games, seeing action at both right guard and right tackle. He was awarded with First Team All-SEC and several All-American honors in 2017 and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s top offensive lineman.