2018 NFL Draft: 5 Notable Prospects Missing From the Combine
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss
One name that comes up frequently when discussing the biggest combine snubs is the Judge, Ito Smith. Over his final three seasons at Southern Miss, Smith played in 40 games and scored a total of 47 touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 1,790 scrimmage yards per season. He added lot to the receiving game, too -- he averaged 44.0 receptions and 456.6 yards through the air.
Among all Conference USA running backs in 2017, Pro Football Focus credited Smith as being second in missed tackles forced and third in yards after contact. At the Senior Bowl, the former Golden Eagle weighed in at 5' 9", 201 pounds prior to rushing for 35 yards on nine carries. He also scored on a two-point conversion.
That type of receiving production is very uncommon for a collegiate running back. In addition to eight games of 50 or more receiving yards, Smith owns a stellar 87th-percentile College Target Share (13.4 percent) according to PlayerProfiler.
After watching numerous running backs excel at the Combine, Smith needs to put together a very impressive pro day to work his way back up draft boards. The receiving abilities should give him an opportunity to stick somewhere as a satellite back.
