Brandon Smith, who played linebacker at Penn State from 2019-21 and went in the fourth round to the Carolina Panthers in this April’s NFL Draft, signed his four-year rookie contract this morning.
.@brand0n_smith12 is in 🖊️https://t.co/Jtn76pWR28
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 30, 2022
Although many feel Smith, who came to Penn State as a five-star recruit, from Louisa County High School in Virginia, has a lot of tools that could lead to a successful NFL career.
“I would say I’m really physical, fast, Smith told reporters at his 2022 NFL combine press conference in Indianapolis. “I have a lot of range when it comes to any types of sweeps or just covering ground in general.”
At the combine, Smith ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash.
Smith’s quickness is an advantage, and he also feels his ability to be ready for run or pass plays is a benefit as well.
“I had a lot of coverage opportunities and did well in coverage,” Smith said in Indy. “So being able to adjust to any type of defense and use my strengths within their program is big. There’s certain things that I had to do this year as far as being in coverage mostly. But for the most part, I’m able to do a lot of things that I didn’t do because of certain play calls that we had. So there’s a lot to my game.”
The Panthers report to training camp July 26, and Smith will undoutebly be eager to get starter and work to get better however he can.
“(I’ll give it) everything I got day in and day out,” Smith said at the combine. “Whether it’s extra film whenever I get home or extra time within the facility, extra time just, whatever it is. If there’s something I need to work on, I’m going to work on it.”
