Player Profiles - Reggie Smith

Reggie Smith  #3  CB/PR/KR  (Oklahoma)

6'1", 197  Junior

OPPONENT: MIAMI

POSITIVES:

1. Nice awareness; pounced on loose ball, recovered with good hands and with good speed took it for a touchdown of 60+ yards.
2. Good hands on fair catch punt return
3. Decent position on incompletion
4. Sticky coverage on sideline, no play allowed
5. Good block on special teams to open up big lane for ball carrier
6. Good close from soft coverage position
7. Corner blitz, led straight to man and made tackle

NEGATIVES:

1. Blocked out of sweep play
2. Odd stance; one foot in front of the other, with all weight on front foot...not conducive to correct hip speed and turn
3. Couldn't get off block on long run
4. Playing WELL off LOS, beat on simple post route
5. Isn't aggressive enough to jump shorter routes; may be product of conservative OU corner system since they all play 10-12 yards off the line near every play
6. Not showing much on KR/PR
7. Not aggressive on corner blitz; let play come to him with tunnel vision on ball carrier and got blocked completely out of what would have been good play

IMPRESSION:

It's hard to get a grasp on Reggie Smith after only one game scouted, as Miami doesn't recognize the available pass routes given to them by the defense.  He wasn't tested much in single coverage: I'm assuming because of the lackluster QB play, considering his man was always open at the snap.  He does have good closing speed and is a better than average blitzer, and has the size to match up against bigger WRs.  I'd like to see more isolation plays on Reggie as the year goes by to get a better grasp, for the Oklahoma safeties anchor this defense quite well and make up for many mistakes in coverage.  Seemingly has the tools to become a good Big XII cornerback, but I'm not going to be quick to give credit when stance, technique, and hip turn all need work.  Like many cornerbacks, his agility and athleticism may be covering his weaknesses.  Average return man from the limited time I've seen, though he does bring the ball in well on sketchy punts.

*Keep checking Player Profiles as the year progresses.  One game log may not be an accurate description for any player.*