PRO 2025 Rookie Spotlight: Brashard Smith, RB SMU
Rookie Spotlight: Brashard Smith, SMU
Height: 5-10
Weight: 194
2024 Age: 22 – (4/11/03)
Hands: 8 3/4″
Arm: 30 1/4″
40: 4.39
NFL Play-Style Comparison: Bucky Irving, Avery Williams
Draft Grade: 5th
1,000+ Rushing Seasons: 1
Offensive Market Share Metrics (Final Season)
Carries: 235
Receptions: 39
Scrimmage Yards: 1,659
Scrimmage TDs: 18
Total Production Percentage: 29%
High School: Miami Palmetto HS (Miami, FL)
As a high school prospect: Class of 2021; 4-star WR (5.9)
College Attended: Miami (3), SMU (1)
Pros
– 1,977 all-purpose yards in 2024 at SMU.
– Highest Receiving Grade in the Power-5 (90.6) according to PFF
– Switched to RB in 2024 upon arrival to SMU (Former WR at Miami, 69 receptions 18 carries)
– Good elusiveness
– Excellent straight-line speed
– 2023 All-ACC Second Team as a specialist, 1,259 kick return yards (24.4 average)
– Natural wide receiver skills and awareness in the open field and sideline
– Terrific week at the Senior Bowl
Cons
– Vision is not a strong suit, however, it can be reasoned by a lack of repetition at the position
– Minor Injury history worry (Collarbone, Sprained Knee, Shoulder)
– 3 fumbles in 2024
– Slight Lower body build, irregular running back build
Highlight/Film
Scouting Notes:
Brashard Smith began his career at the University of Miami after being recruited as a 4-star wide receiver. Smith played in 35 games in three seasons at Miami, accumulating just 18 rush attempts and 69 receptions. After the 2023 season, he entered the Portal and followed the former Offensive Coordinator Rhett Lashlee and WR Coach/Recruiter Rob Likens to SMU.
In his first season playing running back, Smith took on 235 carries and a career-high 39 receptions, while still manning some of the special teams return duties. He totaled 1,977 all-purpose yards across the three. As a prospect, Smith presents some clear potential at the running back position after just one season playing full-time. His Short-area decisiveness and lateral agility are his strongest traits, while the decisiveness can wane as Smith gets to the second level. Lacking long speed is a detriment, however, Smith’s ability to gain the edge with a burst out of the backfield on the outside run.
People will think back to 2024 when the Giants drafted Tyrone Tracy after playing just one season as running back for Purdue, after playing wide receiver at Iowa. But the closer comp in that class, stylistically is Bucky Irving from Oregon.
