Bulldogs’ Nolan Smith Shines in Day One of NFL Combine
NFL Combine Workouts Begin
Frank Coyle/ Head scout
Edge defender Nolan Smith of Georgia set the pace for Day one of the workout phase of the NFL Combine with an outstanding overall performance. The former 5-star athlete completed an excellent workout which probably guarantees him an early to mid-first round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Photo – Nolan Smith – Dawg Report
He checked in at a lean 6’2” and 238 lbs. with average 32 5/8” arms. He put up an eye-popping 40 time with an official time of 4.39 seconds with a 1.52 ten-yard split. He also added 41.5” in the vertical leap and 10’8” in the broad jump. He set the pace for this year’s NFL Combine following last year when Georgia dominated the event especially on defense both at the combine and ultimately the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Smith is a twitchy blue-chip athlete with an explosive burst on the snap which gives him an immediate advantage. He has blazing sideline-to-sideline speed and quickness to beat blocking angles and get to the ball consistently. His speed and quickness overcome his adequate size while attacking the line of scrimmage or space. He uses developed technique and sound leverage very well to consistently separate in traffic. His quick hands allow him to create space to use his amazing speed to be effective at the point of attack. His length and speed should allow him to develop and matchup with tight ends in coverage with further reps and refinement of his reads.
Smith played four seasons at Georgia, and totaled 110 tackles, 20 TFLs and 12.5 sacks. His biggest season came during the 2021 season when he finished the season with 4.5 sacks and 8 TFLs playing in all fifteen games that season in their first of two consecutive national championships. He was a part of amazing Georgia 2019 recruiting class as a five-star prospect and the number-one player in the nation during his recruitment process.
