Jimmy Smith

Smith isn't lacking for much, especially in the confidence department. A self-proclaimed shutdown corner, Smith said he likes comparisons to Raiders All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, except for one thing: "I think I have better ball skills than he does." NFL scouts don't dispute Smith's physical attributes. He's long, lean, runs well and can tackle. What personnel men do have questions about is a track record of off-field issues. Smith was twice arrested while at Boulder for minor in possession charges, and failed a drug test in 2007, according to The Denver Post. He points out those issues all came during his first two years, and by all accounts Smith assumed a leadership role on the field for Colorado last season. "I went to college and I made some mistakes," he admits. "I've told (NFL team) I'm a great person. I was a young player who made young mistakes. But I grew as a person." He has had no known off-field issues since 2007, although he did skip the Senior Bowl and switched agents from Peter Schafer to Drew Rosenhaus. "It's not that Peter Schafer is not a good agent, I just didn't want him to represent me because he didn't do what need to be done," said Smith, who declined to elaborate. He was certainly asked to elaborate by NFL teams at the combine, and his answers to that question and others regarding his past will go a long way toward determining how much it detracts from his obvious physical skills. Smith's size enables him to line up against an opponent's biggest receiver, and he allowed just 11 completions in man-to-man coverage over the past two years. He didn't intercept any passes in 2010, but that was mostly because teams virtually stopped throwing his direction. "I feel like the sky is the limit for me as long as I do what I know I can do out there," said Smith. Former NFL cornerback Ashley Ambrose was Smith's defensive backs coach at CU, and he believes the young California native has what it takes to make it at the next level. Scouts believe he has the physical tools, noting that his size and length are exactly what teams look for in top-50 picks to neutralize large playmaking receivers on the outside, as he did against Georgia's talented A.J. Green when they matched up in 2010.

run support

Owns prototypical size to be a run stopper on the edge. Effective as a wrap-up or cut tackler. Knows to chase at a deep angle to prevent touchdowns on runs to the opposite side of the field. Usually gets outside position to force plays to linebackers, showing quickness to move around his man, but needs to be more violent with his hands to disengage from the blocks of larger receivers to make tackles.

man coverage

Physical press corner. Not afraid to extend his hand (usually his left) at the line of scrimmage to keep receivers from getting into his route. Maintains contact throughout the five-yard area. Lined up against opponents' biggest receiver, playing outside and in the slot. Flashes good feet in his pedal, but could be lower and more balanced. Must keep his feet moving as receivers approach when playing off; they eat up his cushion quickly. Flips open to trail even if he plays outside leverage and the receiver runs inside. Uses long arms to reach in front of receivers to knock away passes without interfering. Uses strength and good timing to dislodge the ball from his man while he tries to secure the catch. Fast enough to stop quick screens behind the line when playing off. His hands for the interception are improving, but work needs to be done. Needs to tighten up his footwork when transitioning from pedal to plant-and-drive.

tackling

Physical tackler with NFL size and excellent length to wrap, but must get more consistent in the open field. Able to knock away passes and force fumbles while he wraps up receivers. Must drop his hips and break down more quickly attacking ballcarriers on the run, as they can elude him with a quick move or slip off when he tries to tackle shoulder pads.

zone coverage

Good awareness in zone coverage. Comes off receivers leaving his area to pick up underneath routes. Stays between two receivers on the outside if he sees his safety help has been taken away by seam routes, but will end up in no man's land occasionally not trusting over-the-top help. Attacks receivers in front of him. Size makes him difficult to for receivers to avoid after the catch. His height and vertical make throwing over him and in front of safeties perilous.

intangibles

Maturing player taking over as a leader on the field, directing teammates. Began studying film before his junior season. Missed first two games in 2008 due to injury. Suffered concussion against Baylor in 2010.

closing/recovery

Combines speed with length to close on the ball. Good recovery speed for his size, can flip his hips and wrap up receivers in trail coverage. His height and ability to find the ball in the air prevent quarterbacks from challenging over the top. Undercuts crossing routes by closing hard and extending; also takes chances NFL quarterbacks can exploit.

read & react

Reads the body language of receivers and keeps his eyes in the backfield to detect what's coming. Reacts quickly to throws in his area to his assignment or another receiver. Likes to attack the run but gets overaggressive, biting hard on play-action fakes. Some of his quick reactions are negated by his inability to get off blocks.

compares to

Antonio Cromartie, Jets - Smith possesses similar size and length to help neutralize bigger playmaking wide receivers on the outside.

2008: Missed first two games due to an undisclosed injury. 2010: Suffered a concussion against Baylor.

Combine: 4.42 40-yard dash; 24 bench reps at 225 pounds; 10'3" broad jump; 36-inch vertical; 6.93 3-cone drill.

Scout.com ranked him as the No. 53 safety in the nation, while Rivals.com pegged him at No. 57 in the athlete category (and as the No. 64 overall prospect in California). A three-year letterman in football, he was first-team All-Southeastern Conference on both offense (wide receiver) and defense (cornerback) as a senior. He was named first-team all-county and his team’s most improved player. On offense, he had 53 receptions for 1,123 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 21.2 yards per catch. Defensively, he totaled 47 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and 15 pass deflections. He also averaged 36 yards on punt returns with one touchdown. As a junior, he was named first-team all-league and second-team all-county on defense. He had 30 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns on offense, and at his cornerback spot, he tallied 57 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and eight passes broken up. He garnered honorable mention all-league accolades on defense as a sophomore starting at safety, when he had 45 tackles and four interceptions on the season—his first year playing football. Top games his senior year: against Redlands East Valley, he caught six passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, along with nine tackles, four passes broken up an interception in a 41-40 loss; in a 50-12 win over Redlands, he had four catches for 130 yards (one TD), while making three tackles on defense; in a 56-38 win over Rancho Buena Vista, he made seven catches for 171 yards (two TDs) to go with seven tackles. Under coach Harold Strauss, his team went a combined 30-6 in his three years playing football: 9-3 as a senior, 10-2 as a junior and 11-1 as a sophomore; Colton advanced to the second round of the playoffs each year. He also lettered in basketball and track, earning a combined seven letters between the two.

Born July 26, 1988 in Fontana, Calif. Hobbies include playing video games and hanging out with friends in his spare time. Four brothers have played college football: Ryan Smalls (Millikin), Terrance Smalls (Illinios), Paul Smith (New Mexico) and Anthony Smalls (Idaho State). After college, he aspires to be an FBI agent.