NFL Draft Profile: Abram Smith, Running Back, Baylor University Bears
#7
Pos: RB
Ht: 6000
Wt: 213
Hand: 0828
Arm: 3028
Wing: 7268
DOB:
Eligibility: 2022
Abilene, TX
Abilene High School
Abram Smith Baylor University
Bears
One-Liner:
Abram Smith has a solid build and is a one cut type of runner that excels in a zone blocking scheme
Pros:
Abram Smith shows a good understanding of inside and outside zone run concepts. Good size and build and when he builds up speed will punish defenders. Reads leverage of defenders and blocks on zone runs with very good decisiveness and vision to see the big picture. Solid short area burst and foot quickness with solid overall footwork on zone runs. Feels comfortable on tosses when he can make one cut and get up field. He is a one cut style runner. Former linebacker that runs hard and is not afraid of contact. Usually falls forward and picks up an extra yard or so. Routinely drops his shoulders to finish runs. Makes guys miss in the open field by opening his hips and changning up his aiming points. Stays square when working on zone runs. Smooth hands out of the backfield and will catch the ball away from his frame. Willing pass protector showing off his physical toughness. Has the traits to make an impact on special teams.
Cons:
Very little experience working on gap scheme runs and is still learning the position. He can run out of control at times and goes down on first contact too often. Needs work on patience and letting blocks develop. He doesn’t know how to manipulate second level defenders by pressing the LOS. Lacks explosiveness and big play speed to break long runs.
Summary:
Abram Smithprojects to be a backup at the next level. He wins with physical toughness, vision, and decisiveness. Lack of explosiveness and contact balance are big problems. Will make an impact on third downs and on special teams. With more experience he could develop into a solid back.
Background:
Abram Smith attended Abilene High School in Texas, where he was a two-time all-state running back. He is the all-time leading rusher in Abilene history, earning the school-record of 4,955 career rushing yards in 33 games over four seasons and holds the school-record for all-purpose touchdowns with 77. After high school, 247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star recruit, the 965th-best recruit nationally, the 53rd-ranked running back recruit in the country and the 132nd recruit in the state of Texas.
Smith committed to Baylor and redshirted his freshman season in 2017 due to a season-ending ACL injury. In 2018, he appeared in just six games, mainly playing special teams. In 2019, Smith appeared in all 14 games, but again was mainly a special teams contributor, only totalling eight carries on the year. In 2020, Smith appeared in five games, did not carry the rock at all and actually started four games at linebacker where he led the team in tackles each game. He totaled 48 tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack. In 2021, Smith made the switch back to running back and has broken out with 185 carries for 1,249 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns.
Smith’s journey at Baylor is an inspiring one and his move back and forth from linebacker was due to star linebacker Terel Bernard’s injury and the coaching staff saw a similar level of fire from Smith. “The first time a position change came up was because I was flying down the field on kickoff, knocking back defensive linemen and making tackles. The old staff suggested that I could play linebacker and I moved over there hoping to get more playing time. What could it hurt?” Smith’s old high school coach, Del Van Cox, knew Smith would find success wherever he lined up, “It didn’t surprise me at all that Abram enjoyed so much success at linebacker despite not playing much of it since high school. He’s a great teammate who will do anything for the team. We actually knew a couple of guys on the staff and told them that he could play some defense if he wasn’t going to play much at running back.” Even Smith’s teammates at Baylor have great things to say of Smith as a person, star defensive back Jalen Pitre said, “I’ve always seen a hard worker out of Abram Smith. It’s starting to come to the light for him. But he’s always been that guy that’s going to show up early, do what’s asked of him and more. Put in the time. I’m glad that he’s starting to get the praise for what he deserves.” Finally head coach Dave Aranda raves about Smith and his ability to pick the brains of the entire coaching staff, “I love Abram, and just his willingness to learn and grow. Abram’s got a learner’s heart. You can never give him enough, so I appreciate that. When we first started, I remember it was new for him to be in there, and there were some things that didn’t come as natural as maybe you’d like. That didn’t deter him. He kept at it.”
Grades:
Current Player Value/Potential Player Value
6.6/7.5
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