Wade Smith
Position: Offensive Tackle/Guard
College: Memphis
Height: 6-4
Weight: 296
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Career Notes | Agility | High School | Personal | Stats
ANALYSIS
Positives: Dedicated worker in the weight room, adding over 20 pounds of muscle to his frame in the last season … Very fluid in his movements working in space, showing the quick feet and pad level to neutralize the linebackers … Can come off the snap instantly to reach, hit and drive away the defender … Has a quick kick slide and light feet to get into position … Has natural balance, sinking his hips properly to gain leverage … Regroups efficiently, driving opponents off with a forceful hand punch … Retreats fluidly, sinking low to adjust to the outside rush moves … Has excellent functional mechanics, extending his arms properly to pick up twists and stunts … Knows how to get his hands underneath the defender and quickly gains leverage with his wide leg base and strong anchor.
Negatives: Broken hand in 2001 set back his weight training program … Despite his good short-area speed, he can still be surprised by shooting linebackers and angling defensive ends … Needs to add more strength to prevent himself from getting his chest exposed by a defender's swim moves … Shows good reactionary skills, but will sometimes fail to locate his target working in space … Needs to show better awareness to the action around him when pulling.
CAREER NOTES
Consummate team player who sacrificed personal success for that of the team … Began his career as a tight end, moving to right offensive tackle as a junior before settling in at the demanding left tackle position in his final year … Called by the coaching staff the finest athlete to ever join the Memphis program.