Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Size:
Height: 5097
Weight: 194
Arm: 30 ½”
Hand: 8 ¾”
Accomplishments:
Four-star prospect
“Brashard Smith is a quick-twitch, explosive running back who, if given a crease in a defense, can create an explosive gain for an offense.”
Strengths:
Quick/elusive in open field
Explosive big-play threat
Vision
Catching out of backfield
Concerns:
Durability due to size
Pass protection
Ability to consistently run with power
Film Analysis:
Brashard Smith transferred to SMU from the University of Miami, where he saw limited action as a ball-carrier and was primarily utilized as a receiving option. Upon transferring to SMU for the 2024 season, Smith seized the opportunity to become a lead back and emerged as one of the nation's most productive running backs in one of the country's top offenses. His performance was instrumental in helping the SMU Mustangs make their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Smith is a dynamic running back who leverages his quickness and explosiveness to create big plays.
As a runner, Smith demonstrates two distinct styles depending on the scheme—gap or zone. In a gap scheme, Smith showcases quick processing and excellent vision once he receives the handoff. He rapidly identifies lanes and creases in the line of scrimmage, using his lateral agility and jump cuts to reach the hole. Once he finds an opening, Smith accelerates through it with remarkable speed, consistently gaining positive yardage. His explosive vertical running allows him to quickly accumulate yards, and at the second and third levels of the defense, Smith's top-end speed enables him to outrun defenders’ angles. In the open field, Smith is a threat to leave everyone behind in a footrace to the end zone.
On zone run plays, Smith adopts a more patient approach, allowing his offensive linemen to establish their blocks before making his move. He often presses an inside gap to manipulate second-level defenders, then bounces the run outside. Here, too, Smith's elite acceleration shines as he beats most defenders to the edge and turns the corner to gain significant yardage. Defenses must respect his speed because once he gains the edge, his burst and acceleration often result in long touchdown runs. Overall, Smith thrives on creating explosive plays, especially when defenses fail to properly fit their gaps against the designed run.
Smith also excels as a receiver in the passing game. He has natural hands and is effective on traditional running back routes out of the backfield. Thanks to his quickness and ability to start and stop on a dime, Smith presents a matchup problem for most linebackers and is challenging to cover in open space. He can be utilized in the screen game, catching bubble screens and leveraging his elusiveness in the open field. Additionally, Smith has the versatility to motion out of the backfield and line up in the slot, running short, quick-hitting routes to get open and use his athleticism to gain additional yardage.
Areas of concern for Smith include his ability to consistently run with power and his durability, both of which are tied to his smaller frame. His size limits his effectiveness as a powerful between-the-tackles runner, which may necessitate sharing backfield duties with a larger, more physical back who can handle short-yardage situations. His smaller frame also raises potential questions about his durability at the next level.
Overall, Smith's athletic traits, combined with his running and pass-catching abilities, make him a versatile offensive weapon. He has the potential to contribute not only as a running back but also as a dynamic playmaker for an NFL team.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Penn State (2024), Clemson (2024), BYU (2024), Pitt (2024)
