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Forum nameOkay Sports
Topic subjectILB Roquan Smith, Georgia (6'1, 226)
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2627030&mesg_id=2638234
2638234, ILB Roquan Smith, Georgia (6'1, 226)
Posted by will_5198, Wed Jan-17-18 05:30 PM
above the shoulders he's exactly what you want at middle linebacker. he diagnoses plays extremely well, and leads himself to the action. end-around? he's there. play-action boot? he shadows the quarterback without over-pursuit, because he's looking behind his shoulder for a crossing route in the vacated space. top-level awareness, exactly what you want from your field general.

stature-wise, I can see how you'd be put off by his size. he's short and light, without the timed speed of say, Deion Jones (Atlanta). his wingspan doesn't seem all that great from afar, either. game-speed though, he looks plenty fast. hardly ever out of position to start with, and he shows a closing burst in coverage and attacking the run. direct linemen blocks can move him off his point, but his hands are super strong -- probably his most underrated advantage. that helps him punch away blockers, and why he is so good at corralling guys in the open. he doesn't have the best form or base on a lot of tackles, but he can still reach out with one hand and bring the ball-carrier to the ground.

all that's to say, I like his game. controlled burst and has a natural radar for the ball. his size isn't elite, but the rest of his attributes play well for your leader inside.