- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Mel Kiper calls LSU's Maason Smith an 'intriguing' draft prospect
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:12 pm
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:12 pm
quote:
LSU has a lot of offensive talent at the top of this year’s draft class, but perhaps the biggest question mark in this year’s group heading pro is defensive tackle Maason Smith.
Smith is a former five-star recruit who impressed as a true freshman in 2021. But a torn ACL cost him nearly the entire 2022 season, and while he returned in 2023, he struggled to find the production many expected of him.
In spite of that, he declared for the draft this offseason, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper evaluated what he called an “intriguing” draft profile on a recent episode of First Draft.
“Maason Smith is an intriguing guy,” Kiper said, per On3. “He was a elite recruit right? He showed in practice he could dominate, they were raving about him coming this season. A couple of years ago, the first game, the ACL injury. This year, the suspension early and then a little banged up in the last three games this past season. He was getting after the quarterback, the explosiveness, everything. We saw the quickness when he was healthy, he was coming to the forefront late in the year. The production, the consistency wasn’t there.
“Why? Because he was hurt, then banged up and when he was out there playing through it, and trying to get back to full strength and getting back to where he was pre-ACL, right? He didn’t look like the same player.”
Kiper said in a defensive tackle draft class that isn’t particularly strong, Smith could be a strong option as he continues to get stronger after the ACL tear.
“So when he’s now a couple years removed, coming off that ACL, watch out,” Kiper said. “Defensive tackle position we thought would be really strong this year, that has not materialized. We thought Maason Smith would be one of those guys. I’m ready to move him back up in the top 10 defensive tackles, but I got to look at what he is when he’s healthy and what he was when he was dominant in practice, what he can be. I’m gonna put him in that five or six spot of defensive tackles on my big board.’”
usa today
14
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:16 pm to L.A.
Meh, he had like 3 “wow” plays in his career. Maybe 3.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:17 pm to L.A.
For Maason Smith's sake, I hope Kiper is right. I would loved to have seen him at full strength in 2022 and 2023. Best of luck to Smith!
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:18 pm to L.A.
quote:
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper evaluated what he called an “intriguing” draft profile on a recent episode of First Draft.
quote:
I’m ready to move him back up in the top 10 defensive tackles, but I got to look at what he is when he’s healthy and what he was when he was dominant in practice, what he can be. I’m gonna put him in that five or six spot of defensive tackles on my big board.’”
Kiper seems to be all over the map on Smith. First, "intriguing" like he doesn't know how to rate him and then comes up with 5th or 6th DT. I'll make it easy for you Mel, 3rd day of the NFL draft at best. He showed nothing the year after his ACL injury but many say it does take 2 years to come back so hope for the best. But as the saying goes, "hope is not a strategy." He better show up at the combine and have a great one to even get drafted IMO.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:19 pm to L.A.
Would have been a first rounder with a year under Baker and Davis
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:24 pm to L.A.
He played like a two star recruit. Just another body, I don't remember a single play that was a wow moment.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:27 pm to L.A.
Once he gets some actual coaching and accountability, he may well be good. It was criminal how bad the DL was last year.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:31 pm to L.A.
4th round reach. Cant think of a more disappointing 5 star at lsu ever. Number 1 on my list of fizzled out 5 stars
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:33 pm to L.A.
Great measurables, underwhelming college career.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:47 pm to L.A.
I wish we could’ve seen smith develop with Bo Davis
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:50 pm to L.A.
The RANT calls him an UDFA.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:52 pm to L.A.
quote:
Kiper said in a defensive tackle draft class that isn’t particularly strong, Smith could be a strong option as he continues to get stronger after the ACL tear.
Someone get this man a thesaurus.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 7:16 pm to L.A.
Early 3rd round pick lock
Posted on 2/21/24 at 8:30 pm to L.A.
Who ever drafts him will put in his contract exactly "how to celebrate after a sack" 
Posted on 2/21/24 at 10:00 pm to L.A.
look like Tarzan play like Jane. Hope he gets it together but never lived up to the hype.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News