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Fresno State all-conference defensive back Derron Smith is considering skipping his senior year and got to the NFL. Smith submitted his papers prior to their blowout loss to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, but who knows if that game will push Smith toward the NFL Draft.
Smith has had a very good college career including being named the 2013 Mountain West preseason defender of year, and other awards too. He just feels the time is now to at least see where he stands:
"It's just the smart thing to do," said Smith, a two-time first-team Mountain West Conference selection. "It doesn't mean that I'm leaving. It's just a smart move to see where you're out, how the NFL people view your potential at the next level.
"Obviously, everyone who plays football wants to one day play in the NFL. We'll see what the evaluation says and make a decision later."
The advisory board will send back details on where they feel Smith would be taken in the NFL Draft, obviously this is not a guarantee if he will be drafted but this will give him an idea where he stands.
NFLDraftscout.com ranks Smith as a the fourth-best free safety prospect, but that is for the 2015 draft class.
Smith has NFL talent and it shows by his 15 interceptions for his career with seven each of the past two seasons, plus he had six pass breaks up this season.
There is more to Smith besides intercepting and breaking up passes, he expanded his role in 2013 with more blitzing. Smith ended up with 69 tackles, 7.5 for a loss and four sacks.
Smith has until Jan. 15, 2014 to declare for the NFL Draft.
