Ourlads' Profile:
2023 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about MAZI SMITH:
Michigan | H: 6030 W: 323 40: 4.95 A: 3334 H: 0934 W: 8078
Two-year starter, Grand Rapids, MI. First-team All-Big 10 this past season, honorable mention in 2021. Massive nose tackle with a muscular build. Ideally a zero-tech in a two-gap player who can plug the A-gaps with strength and his anchor. His sheer size and strength make him difficult to block in one-on-one situations. Aggressive at the point-of-attack and creates knock back on his engagement, and he will not give up ground. Plays with a high motor, and will drive offensive linemen into the backfield with exceptional strength and active feet. Uses brute strength to fit inside of gaps to maintain leverage. Will anchor down and hold his ground when he feels a double team. Strong, powerful hands which allow him to separate from blocks, and snatch offensive linemen into the dirt. Adds value as a pass rusher with a strong bull rush move; able to collapse the pocket and create depth in the backfield. Needs better reaction time when the ball is snapped; consistently the last person off the ball despite being on the interior. Fringe athletic ability, with tight hips that make it difficult for him to skinny up or corner. Needs to play with lower pad level to avoid getting stood up. Can get washed out of zone run plays due to fringe lateral agility and tight hips. He shoots his hands too late and too far outside on engagement and needs to work on timing it up better to assist him in winning leverage. Needs to improve as a pass rusher to become a reliable option on passing downs, as he displays a limited arsenal to win. Concerned with reliability in short-yardage situations due to reaction time and lack of explosiveness off the line-of-scrimmage. Lacks foot speed in space, not someone to rely upon in pursuit.
2022 Stats: 48 T, 2.5 TFL, .5 sack, 1 QBH, 1 FF. Edge speed:left 2.09, right 1.98. 2nd/3rd round.