VN Article: Breaking Down Tom Smith

[Freak]

TOM SMITH, RB, 5’11, 202, Apopka(HS)FL When Tennessee was one of the nation’s premier programs they were known more for their talented college quarterbacks and running backs; but it was their rushing attack that really made the Volunteer machine go. Rushers like Charlie Garner, James Stewart, Jay Graham, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Travis Stephens [...]

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[PACKERVOL]

That 4.82 40 has got to be a typo. Rivals and Scout both have him at 4.5. That is average speed for a running back. I don't think you'd find any running backs at major universities with 4.82 speed.

 

[BasketvolsFan]

Not unless they plan to put a lot of weight on him and turn him into a lineman.

 

[Freak]

That 4.82 40 has got to be a typo. Rivals and Scout both have him at 4.5. That is average speed for a running back. I don't think you'd find any running backs at major universities with 4.82 speed.

Not sure but it appears that number came from here:

Tom Smith - College Football Recruiting 2011 - ESPN

 

[BryanD7]

It would not surprise me if he ran a 4.82, if it was an official time. Running the 40 isn't just about speed, it's also about technique. If it was an electronic time there are many factors that go into a time.

Smith is not a burner, but he plays fast enough to be a big time back in my view. The one back he reminds me the most of is Travis Stephens in style, although Smith is much bigger.

Hopefully that came out in the evaluation.

 

[BryanD7]

Not sure but it appears that number came from here:

Tom Smith - College Football Recruiting 2011 - ESPN

I write for ESPN sites, so for better or worse I have to go with the numbers they give. That's why I talked about the fact he plays faster than a 4.82, so I'm not concerned about his listed 40 time.

But there aren't as many "real" 4.4 players around the country as people think. I've worked enough camps and timed enough kids to know this to be true.

 

[PayingUTKTuition]

I write for ESPN sites, so for better or worse I have to go with the numbers they give. That's why I talked about the fact he plays faster than a 4.82, so I'm not concerned about his listed 40 time.

But there aren't as many "real" 4.4 players around the country as people think. I've worked enough camps and timed enough kids to know this to be true.

I can remember when 4.4 was something very rare and very special. Now, I see it quoted as a standard for any top flight player.

 

[sammyjoey]

I can remember when 4.4 was something very rare and very special. Now, I see it quoted as a standard for any top flight player.

This.

Do you really think all of these kids are running 4.4 40s in high school but then only a handful of them can get sub 4.4 in the NFL combines with millions on dollars on the line? :crazy:

 

[BryanD7]

That 4.82 40 has got to be a typo. Rivals and Scout both have him at 4.5. That is average speed for a running back. I don't think you'd find any running backs at major universities with 4.82 speed.

You'd be surprised. Kids aren't as fast as they claim, or coaches claim, etc. I think we would all admit that the high majority of players do not get slower after four years of college. Yet there was a high volume of players who supposedly got slower through college, as their pro day and combine 40 times were not as fast, or the same as they were in HS. Something is amiss.