Jason Smith | Baylor, OT : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 8/24/08: #6 OT, #65/750 Overall, Projected Rnd: 3
2008: The Football Writers Association All-American first-team choice became Baylor's first offensive lineman since guard Frank Ditta in 1980 and the Bears' first All-American offensive tackle since Mike Hughes in 1975...Added second-team All-American accolades from The NFL Draft Report and third-team recognition by Rivals.com...Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection...Named the team's co-Most Valuable Player...The left offensive tackle led the conference with seventeen touchdown-resulting blocks...His 96 knockdown blocks were the most ever by a Baylor offensive lineman...Added a league-high (for a down lineman) thirteen down field blocks, but was penalized five times...Was charged with just two quarterback pressures and 3.5 sacks on 290 pass plays...Was the major reason the team ranked 21st in the nation and third in the Big Twelve in rushing, averaging 195.75 yards per game, a vast improvement over 2007, when the Bears ranked 113th nationally (77.83 yards per game)...The team's 29 touchdown runs are the most by a Baylor squad since 1994 and rank third on the team season-record list...Graded at least 90% for blocking consistency in four contests (Wake Forest, Northwestern State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech)...2007: Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a junior offensive tackle from The Associated Press despite being slowed by a sprained knee injury for much of season ... Played and started in seven games at left tackle ...Was a key performer along a Bears' o-line which yielded just 21 sacks, the program's fewest since 1995 ... Sustained a right MCL strain in season-opener at No. 22 TCU which sidelined him for three games, then returned to start at Texas A&M and vs. Colorado...2006: 11 GP; 8 GS; Rec: 6-70-11.7-1; Moved from tight end to offensive tackle prior to spring practice and went on to start all 12 games of his sophomore season as the Bears' right tackle ... Played every offensive snap in 11 of his 12 starts.

Post-Draft Outlook: BEST PICK: Offensive tackle Jason Smith, the second pick in the draft, should be the best pick, but considering the Rams have just two experienced tackles under contract following the release of Orlando Pace, the selection of Smith is an upgrade for the present and future. Eventually, he is expected to be a mainstay on the left side. A closer look at the Rams' picks: Round 1/2 -- Jason Smith, OT, 6-5, 309, Baylor...The only question is whether Smith begins his career on the right side or is inserted immediately at left tackle. Doesn't have classic offensive tackle size, but his passion for the game is unquestioned. - by The Sports Xchange