Film Watched: North Carolina 2021, Virginia 2021, Senior Bowl
Pro's:
Broad, brawny lineman who switched from tight end to left guard at Virginia Tech
Impressively athletic; bursts out of his stance and able to reset the line of scrimmage in the run game
Has the quickness to block on the move, and will lead the charge vertically when tasked with it
Love his footwork in pass pro – choppy steps with good feel for space and ready for counters
Good lateral agility to reach his set points and intercept pass rush moves to his inside
Fiery and committed to every block, engaging with all the power he can muster
Good knee bend for ideal technique when anchoring down. Plenty of sand in his pants
Forceful punch into the numbers of his opponent, & quick to land a second
Con's:
Short arms preclude him from lining up on the outside in any permanent capacity
Lack of length gives him a disadvantage at the point of attack – opponent usually finds jersey first
Sustaining blocks can be an issue as hands slip off at full extension, despite effort
More than likely suitable for zone blocking schemes only at the next level
The Verdict:
“Lecitus Smith heads to the NFL as an accomplished interior lineman who, if it wasn’t for his significant lack of length, would be an asset in both the run and passing games. Aggressive and full of effort, Smith works hard to overcome his short arms and fight through the play, but ultimately will be controlled at the point of attack by the bigger, more physical defensive linemen. Despite that, his speed and proficiency out in space make him an ideal fit in zone schemes where he can use his momentum and vision to blow open lanes, and his pleasing lateral movement brings him more consistency protecting the quarterback. Any technique issues arise from less than desirable measurements, capping Smith’s draft stock. But as a backup that you can rely on with potential starter ability in the future, he’s worth a day three pick.”
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST.