Latest news with #BrashardSmith
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs rookie Brashard Smith details development at RB
Chiefs rookie Brashard Smith details development at RB The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU Mustangs running back Brashard Smith in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. Smith originally played wide receiver for the Miami Hurricanes before transferring to SMU and shifting positions. He adds valuable special teams experience and depth to Kansas City's roster. While at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, Smith detailed the most difficult part of making the transition from playing wide receiver to running back. 'The hardest part was being more patient. When playing receiver, you don't really worry about the offensive line and what they have going on,' Smith explained. 'Playing running back, you have to be dialed into the whole offense.' Smith had several productive games early in SMU's season, including big outings against Florida State and TCU. However, he still didn't look natural as a running back. That came later in the season when his vision, tempo and feel for cutback lanes rose to new heights. 'My first couple games, I feel like I just didn't hit the hole fast enough or missed certain reads,' Smith said. 'As the season went by, I got better and better.' Smith is short and lean, reflecting his background as a slot receiver. These size concerns likely played a significant role in him falling to the late stages of the draft. However, Smith's size, agility and burst make him a matchup nightmare. He cooked linebackers running routes in 1-on-1 drills at the Senior Bowl. 'I'm so used to going against safeties and stuff,' Smith said. 'Going against linebackers, I feel like I should win every rep.' As a seventh round rookie, it's unlikely Smith sees significant action on offense in 2025. He primarily projects as a special teams contributor but could work into the running back rotation if the Chiefs suffer another string of injuries, similar to last season. 'I'm versatile. I can play anywhere,' Smith said. 'I don't care where I play. I just love to play ball.' Smith is a multi-year investment with plenty of meat left on the bone as a developmental, change-of-pace running back.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs RB Brashard Smith explains his all-purpose versatility
The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU running back Brashard Smith in the seventh round with the 228th pick in this year's NFL Draft, adding another unique offensive option in the backfield. On Sunday, he spoke with rookie reporters at rookie minicamp, describing his goals for the session and moving forward in the NFL. "I expected to come in and just learn and pick up from all the coaches and stuff," said Smith, revealing his mentality at minicamp, "so for sure, yes, sir." Advertisement After transferring from the University of Miami, Smith earned Third-team Associated Press All-American All-Purpose and First-team All-ACC honors with SMU. He led the team with 1,332 rushing yards on 235 carries and 14 rushing touchdowns, ranking fourth in the FBS with 1,977 all-purpose yards. He played in all 14 games with 10 starts. "Going into college, I got recruited for a receiver – slot receiver," said Smith, "As I – going into college and being in different systems and being in different offenses, I was moving around a lot, so I played running back and slot receiver a lot." Smith had experience as a wide receiver before transitioning to the running back role, which opened the door for many offensive ideas. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will likely utilize him in a hybrid role, assuming the seventh-round selection can stand out in training camp. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs RB Brashard Smith explains his all-purpose versatility
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs rookie Brashard Smith details development at RB
The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU Mustangs running back Brashard Smith in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. Smith originally played wide receiver for the Miami Hurricanes before transferring to SMU and shifting positions. He adds valuable special teams experience and depth to Kansas City's roster. While at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, Smith detailed the most difficult part of making the transition from playing wide receiver to running back. Advertisement 'The hardest part was being more patient. When playing receiver, you don't really worry about the offensive line and what they have going on,' Smith explained. 'Playing running back, you have to be dialed into the whole offense.' Smith had several productive games early in SMU's season, including big outings against Florida State and TCU. However, he still didn't look natural as a running back. That came later in the season when his vision, tempo and feel for cutback lanes rose to new heights. 'My first couple games, I feel like I just didn't hit the hole fast enough or missed certain reads,' Smith said. 'As the season went by, I got better and better.' Advertisement Smith is short and lean, reflecting his background as a slot receiver. These size concerns likely played a significant role in him falling to the late stages of the draft. However, Smith's size, agility and burst make him a matchup nightmare. He cooked linebackers running routes in 1-on-1 drills at the Senior Bowl. 'I'm so used to going against safeties and stuff,' Smith said. 'Going against linebackers, I feel like I should win every rep.' As a seventh round rookie, it's unlikely Smith sees significant action on offense in 2025. He primarily projects as a special teams contributor but could work into the running back rotation if the Chiefs suffer another string of injuries, similar to last season. 'I'm versatile. I can play anywhere,' Smith said. 'I don't care where I play. I just love to play ball.' Advertisement Smith is a multi-year investment with plenty of meat left on the bone as a developmental, change-of-pace running back. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith discusses his development
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Louis Riddick calls Kansas City Chiefs RB Brashard Smith an Alvin Kamara clone
ESPN's Louis Riddick calls Kansas City Chiefs RB Brashard Smith an Alvin Kamara clone During a recent episode of ESPN's NFL Live show, Louis Riddick shared his feedback on the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 draft class. He focused much of his attention on their seventh-round selection, Brashard Smith. "Keep an eye on Brashard Smith, he is an Alvin Kamara clone with 4.3 speed. They have got a lot of things going on right now in Kansas City," said Riddick, "they may have addressed their issues as good as anybody." Kamara was named the NFL Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowler in his first five NFL seasons, and a two-time second-team All-Pro. He became the Saints' All-Time leading rusher. Riddick, who has a reputation for evaluating talent, highly praises Smith's comparison to Kamara. After a playing career in the NFL, Riddick became a pro scout for the Washington Redskins for four years, eventually getting promoted to Director of Pro Personnel. He next joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a pro scout and became their Director of Pro Personnel. He has since served as one of the top analysts on ESPN's NFL coverage. Last season, Smith earned Third-team Associated Press All-American All-Purpose and First-team All-ACC honors with SMU. He led the team with 1,332 rushing yards on 235 carries and 14 rushing touchdowns.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Predict Rookie To Do 'Silly Things' with Mahomes
Coming off a 2024 season in which the Kansas City Chiefs' run game ranked 26th in yards per game (101.2), the front office knew that something had to change. With Isiah Pachco and Kareem Hunt returning, neither is considered a speed burner; instead, they are more than capable of picking up yards in a bruising manner. Advertisement That led the Chiefs to pick up Elijah Mitchell in free agency who has speed to burn, but is coming off an injury that saw him ruled out of the entire 2024 season. Then came the draft. Kansas City then selected SMU back Brashard Smith, who rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but it was his 4.39 speed and his ability to be a dynamic slasher that caught the AFC champs' attention. And for director of player personnel Rnye Nutt, he fully expects Smith to feature at some point in 2025. "When he has the ball in his hands, whether it's as a runner or catching the ball, he can do some silly things in terms of what he can set up," Nutt said via ESPN. "Now he has to come in and pick everything up and there has to be a comfort level that he knows what he's doing. But talent-wise, there should be no reason this kid shouldn't help us at some point in the season.'' Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) runs with the ball while trying to avoid a tackle during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Beaver Stadium.@ Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images With the Chiefs not having genuine speed in the backfield, it can make stopping the run rather easy for defenses, and eight times Kansas City was kept under 100 yards last season. Advertisement Now with Mitchell and Smith in the ranks, both of whom possess the home-run speed Andy Reid is looking for, there is a hope that defenses won't be able to pin their ears back and go after Patrick Mahomes because of the threat Mitchell and Smith possess. Granted, that is provided Smith makes the team, and Nutt said as much, so this offseason looms as pivotal in seeing if the former SMU star can adapt to the playbook and the rigors of the NFL, because make no mistake about it, there is a spot on this roster for him. If he's good enough. Related: Chiefs Star Shows Off Super Bowl Rings At College Graduation Related: Should Chiefs Sign Long-Time Playoff Enemy?
