Corey Smith

One of several prime prospects from Cincinnati's 2008 defense, Smith is a potential three-down starter because of his strength and coverage ability. Teams using a Tampa-2 scheme will particularly be interested in the four-year starter's skill set, possibly to play in the middle. He moved from the inside to the outside for his senior season because of team need at that spot. Although he never made an all-conference squad, he has been a productive linebacker over his career with 265 tackles, 31 for loss and three interceptions.

positives

Strong, muscular upper and lower body. ... Long arms to stay off blocks and wrap up ballcarriers. ... Chops down big backs and receivers in open space. ... Very active, will run sideline to sideline and chase plays downfield. ... Stays low in his stance in coverage, can drop deep, get to the flat, change direction and attack the ball. ... Punches linemen to stay free working in trash. ... Is an effective blitzer, closes hard and uses his hands or a spin move to get off blocks. ... Holds his ground on the edge, using his low center of gravity and long arms to maintain leverage. ... Started inside and outside for the Bearcats. ... Could be a good special teams player due to his speed and aggressiveness.

negatives

A bit short for the position. ... Will take false steps and react slowly at times in zone coverage. ... Must become more consistent swarming to the ball in space. ... Is stiff-armed by bigger ballcarriers in space and may find it more difficult to get off the blocks of stronger, quicker NFL linemen. ... Will miss when ducking his head on open-field tackles. ... Has missed time with shoulder, hamstring and other injuries but played through many of them.

Salem High School: First team all-conference, all-county and all-South Jersey selection for head coach Dave Lindenmuth

Recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and finished with better than 4,000 career rushing yards

Four-year performer at tailback/linebacker who helped school to league championships his sophomore and junior seasons

Placed fifth in the state championships in the high jump as a freshman and was a member of the school's 4x100 relay team which took third place in 2002

Elected to the National Honor Society.

Corey J. Smith: Born Jan. 17, 1987

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