NFL Draft Profile: Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

NFL draft profile scouting report for Tulsa offensive tackle, Tyler Smith

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#56
Pos: OT
Ht: 6040
Wt: 324
Hand: 1068
Arm: 3400
Wing: 8318
40: 5.02
Bench: N/A
3-Cone: 7.78
Shuttle: 4.65
Vert: 27.5
Broad: 809
DOB: 4/3/01
Eligible: 2022
Fort Worth, TX
North Crowley High School

Tyler Smith
Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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One-Liners

If he can refine his technique, Tyler Smith can be a franchise tackle thanks to his outstanding power and above-average movement skills. 

Pros:

On a roster that has recently boasted a high number of NFL prospects, one stands out among the rest. Tyler Smith’s game is predicated on his power and above-average movement skills. His persistent leg drive into and through contact calls upon his lower body strength to create space in the run game. Once he lands hands on a defender’s frame, Smith controls them with notable grip and core strength. What’s more, he has the finishing mentality to put his opponents on the ground. In pass protection, the Texas native displays an easy anchor that will only improve as he refines his technique. The tackle’s dominant strength and surprising agility help him recover from poor positioning caused by improper angles. Moreover, the athletic lineman’s movement skills enable him to pull, climb, reach, scoop and down block. He is efficient getting to space and engaging once there. As a pass blocker, Smith mirrors well before and after contact. When faced with inside power or counters, the Golden Hurricane standout power steps effectively. His flexible waist and ankles indicate he is capable of dropping his pad level properly. Additionally, the Tulsa star maintains active feet behind his punches. Once engaged, Smith can reset his base to seal defenders. He has the length to handle NFL opponents. Despite his playing in the AAC, he has played and thrived against high-level opponents throughout his career. 

Cons:

While Tulsa’s imposing left tackle offers an intriguing athletic profile, the junior is still developing the technical aspects of his game. First and foremost, Smith takes awkward angles in his vertical and 45-degree sets. Consequently, he has trouble against defenders with quick first steps or those who time the snap well. These poor angles force the Tulsa star to present a soft inside shoulder in his vertical sets. Similarly, Smith finds himself in half-man too often because he opts to chase his opponents rather than cut them off. He regularly oversets and bites on salesmanship. When entering engagement, Smith sometimes plays ahead of his base. His inconsistent weight distribution leaves him extremely vulnerable to speed. Moreover, Smith exhibits choppy footwork out of his stance and in his pass sets. He regularly narrows his base which hurts his functional strength and change of direction ability. Similarly, his sloppy feet reduce his control while driving defenders back. What’s more, Smith keeps his hands at his waist when unoccupied; this results in late and wide punches while inviting defenders into his frame. Likewise, his high pad level gives up his chest. Once opponents work inside Smith’s reach, they redirect him. When tasked with disengaging and finding a new defender to block, the Golden Hurricane star looks lost. Finally, Smith does not always play through the whistle. 

Summary:

A 2020 First-Team All-AAC honoree and Freshman All-American according to some sources, Tyler Smith’s rare power and above-average movement skills make him a future franchise tackle. When his technique is sound, the Golden Hurricane standout’s film jumps to another level. While he must refine his technique, Smith is an early high-end swing backup or low-end starter with Pro Bowl potential at guard or tackle in any blocking scheme. 

Background:

Born April 3rd, 2001 in Fort Worth, Texas to parents Woodrow Jones and Patricia Smith, Tyler Smith was an outstanding lineman in high school. A three-year letter winner at guard and tackle with North Crawley, the now-Golden Hurricane star earned first-team all-district and third-team all-state accolades as a junior. In 2018, he helped pave the way for an offense that recorded 293 rushing yards and 3.5 rushing touchdowns per game. In recognition of his impressive high school career, 247Sports Composite Rankings named Smith a three-star recruit and 2417th nationally. The same outlet listed him as the 133rd-ranked offensive guard in his class and the 335th-best player from Texas that year. As a true freshman at Tulsa, Smith played in the last four games of the season; he started two of those contests. He was able to exercise his redshirt in 2019. In 2020, Smith played and started at left tackle in all nine of the Golden Hurricane’s games. The outstanding athlete played every offensive snap in seven contests. Despite missing the second half of the USF game with an injury, Smith received First-Team All-AAC honors and was named a Freshman All-American by FWAA and The Athletic. The returning 2021 letter winner has started 11 of his 13 career games. In his final season at Tulsa, Smith continued his stellar career at left tackle. A finance major, the Texas native has said the best word to describe him is “comedian.” If forced to give up each of his possessions but for one, he would save his family photo book. Despite his being raised in Fort Worth, Smith’s favorite NFL team is the New Orleans Saints; his favorite player of all time is Barry Sanders. His top professional athlete ever is Floyd Mayweather. The All-American tackle’s favorite movie is Avengers: Endgame; his favorite sports movie is Friday Night Lights. If given the opportunity to meet any person, dead or alive, Smith would choose to meet Hannibal Barca; the Carthaginian general is considered one of the best military commanders in the history of the world. Smith’s favorite faction spot is Sandestin, Florida. 

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Floor/Ceiling: Below Average Starter or Swing Backup / Pro Bowl-Level Starter

Scheme Fit: Gap Power Run Scheme

Grade: 2nd Round

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