NFL Legend Praises Louisville WR Jamari Thrash's NFL Upside

Former Panthers wideout Steve Smith Sr. recently broke down the former Cardinals receiver, and loved what he saw both on film and at his Pro Day.

Nov 18, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Jamari Thrash (1) / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 2024 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and several former members of the Louisville football program will be hoping to hear their name called on draft night. One such NFL prospect is wide receiver Jamari Thrash, who started his career at Georgia State before transferring to Louisville for the 2023 season.

This year's draft class is loaded with top-end receiver talent, such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. However, one of the best wideouts in NFL history believes that Thrash is one of the better wide receiver prospects in this year's draft, and loves his potential at the next level.

Current NFL Network analyst and former Carolina Panthers All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. recently broke down Thrash's film and Pro Day performance on his YouTube show Cut To It. Smith praised Thrash's overall football IQ, as well as his route-running ability.

"What I have highlighted, starred: very smart," Smith said. Very, very, very smart. ... Pro Day was explosive. When I was at his Pro Day, they had him run a little jerk route. He runs, settles his feet, goes the opposite way, and I believe he actually came out faster once he restarted than he did when he started. He can run. Fluid, sinking his hips well, caught the ball and he was smooth, adjusted to some of the bad throws and adjusted some of the good throws."

Smith then proceeded to break down some of Thrash's film from Louisville's games against Georgia Tech, Murray State, Indiana, Boston College, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt and Florida State. He capped off his breakdown by saying that Thrash likely projects as an outside receiver in the NFL, but reiterated that the former Cardinal has the speed, route-running and savviness to thrive in the NFL.

"He understands exactly where he is on the field," Smith said. "He knows exactly who he is, and if you draft him, you need to know who he is: He is an XY receiver. Not just a guy with speed, but he also has routes. Usually with a guy was speed, you say he only runs three or four routes. This guy, he could run every route in the route tree. He's still a young kid, but he's exceptionally smart. I loved his Pro Day and I love what I saw. He is definitely a chain mover and a deep threat on your offense once you draft this kid."

While Thrash was limited at times in the second half of the season due to a wrist injury, he still established himself as one of the top receivers in the ACC. Playing in 12 of Louisville's 13 games, all of which were starts, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound wideout caught 63 passes for 858 yards and six touchdowns, all of which led the team.

His yardage mark was good for third in the ACC while his reception total came in at fourth, getting named a Second-Team All-ACC selection for his efforts.

The LaGrange, Ga. native joined Louisville last offseason from Georgia State, where in 2022 he was one of the most explosive players in the FBS. Thrash logged 61 receptions for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns across 12 starts that season, with the yardage mark good for 13th nationally. In 30 games and 17 starts across four years with the Panthers, Thrash caught 104 passes for 1,752 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, Apr. 25 and lasts through Saturday, Apr. 27. According to Pro Football Focus, Thrash projects as a late day two pick, coming in as their No. 83 overall draft prospect.

(Photo of Jamari Thrash: Sam Navarro - USA TODAY Sports)

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