Donovan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report
Donovan Smith, QB, Houston
Size:
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 235 lbs
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“Donovan Smith is a big, athletic quarterback prospect who checks all of the physical boxes and possesses the developmental upside to be a high-impact QB in the NFL.”
Strengths:
Easy velocity/zip in short-to-intermediate areas of the field
Plus-level athlete
Quick release with multiple arm angles/slots
Toughness in the pocket
Concerns:
Stares down first read
Ball placement consistency/high throws
Anticipation
Film Analysis:
Donovan Smith is coming off his first season leading head coach Dana Holgorsen’s Air Raid offense. Before 2023, he spent two seasons at Texas Tech. Smith brings a big-framed QB with plus-athleticism to be a viable dual-threat weapon under center. He performs well within the structure and effectively works the quick passing game. Smith is dangerous out of structure with his playmaking skill set and arm talent to make every throw.
In the passing game, Smith is gifted with legitimate arm talent. He generates easy velocity and zip on his drive throws. Smith rips passes into between the hashes in the middle of the field. Smith easily pushes the football down the field with his high-end arm talent. He hits targets quickly in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Smith is effective in the quick passing game, getting the ball to his first/designated read.
Smith throws the ball with clean and crisp mechanics. He has a quick, snappy release to get the ball out of his hands. Smith has a loose and flexible with multiple arm angles/slots to fit passes around first-level defenders. His pocket toughness is admirable. Smith will stand tall in the pocket with pressure bearing down and deliver on-target throws.
Athleticism is a strength of Smith’s game. He is a playbook extender who excels on designed runs like QB counter, power, and zone read. Smith is adept at making high-caliber plays off-script with his legs as a run threat. He has the functional strength and contact balance to break would-be tacklers and bounce off initial contact after he has broken contain.
Smith’s issues are connected to the lack of starting reps over his career. He tends to lock onto and stare at the first read of his progressions. He must improve quickly processing information and moving to the next read. Smith is a “see-it, throw-it” style QB right now. There is a lack of anticipation on these throws. He hesitates to throw early and consistently leads the receiver from the coverage. Smith will benefit from manipulating secondary defenders with his eyes—causing them to vacate their coverage area. His footwork at the top of his drop can become hyperactive and cause off-target throws on easy layups. He only has one season as a starter, there is more room to grow mentally with more reps under his belt.
Smith has a great set of physical tools, 2024 will be a big year for Smith’s development, potentially catapulting him into day one of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 – Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Texas (2023), Texas Tech (2023), Cincinnati (2023), UTSA (2023), Kansas State (2023)
