2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LSU DL Maason Smith
Maason Smith
LSU
Report Grade
Position Rank
Overall Rank
Maason Smith
LSU
Player Comp
Projection
Height
Weight
40 Time
Class
DL
Combine Measurables
Arm Length
Hand Size
Wingspan
3 Cone
Vertical
Broad Jump
Bench Press
Shuttle
Career Stats
| Year | School | Class | Games | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Total Tackles | Tackles For Loss | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defended | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | LSU | FR | 7 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | LSU | rFR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Strengths
- Sets the edge well and forces the ball inside
- Excellent hand placement to bat and shed with ease
- High-motor rusher that zeroes in on the ball when behind the line of scrimmage
Weaknesses
- Needs to improve upon his ability to diagnose and attack the RPO
- Explosiveness off the line of scrimmage leaves much to be desired
- Struggles to get consistent penetration inside as a defensive tackle
Bio
2024 NFL Draft: Maason Smith Draft Profile and Scouting Report
Maason Smith first burst onto the scene in 2021 as a freshman defensive lineman. He appeared in the first game of the 2022 season, but was injured during a celebration, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. He enters the 2023 season as one of the top defenders in the country.
Maason Smith 40 Time
Projected 40 Time: 4.79 seconds
Maason Smith is a three-year contributor on the defensive line for the LSU Tigers. He fits best as a defensive end in both a 3-4, as well as a 4-3 scheme. He possesses good height and weight for the defensive end position when compared to the league average. Our projected 40 time of 4.79 seconds is at the average for defensive ends in the NFL.
Smith displays a good ability to set the edge and force the ball carrier back inside at the point of attack. He shows very good hand placement at the line of scrimmage to bat and shed offensive linemen. Appears to have a good ability to lock onto the quarterback from behind the line of scrimmage and attack the ball with a high motor.
However, Maason Smith struggles to get consistent penetration inside as a defensive tackle. Has an adequate ability to read and attack the read-option at the point of attack. Displays adequate explosiveness off the line of scrimmage to attack the ball carrier. Finally, he doesn’t insert a lot of spins or swims into his pas rush array, which would make his job off the edge much easier.
Recruiting Bio
Maason Smith graduated from Terrebonne High School in Houma, Louisiana. He averaged a five-star rating as a high school prospect out of the state of Louisiana. All four of the major outlets had Smith ranked as the top prospect in the state. He scored a 98.04 in the On3 Industry Ranking. Additionally, Rivals had him ranked as their top prospect overall in the 2021 class.
Prior to his commitment to LSU, Maason Smith had offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, USC, as well as plenty more programs. Smith took his recruitment to December of 2020 when he committed to LSU, as well as signed his letter of intent. Finally, he was an early enrollee in January of 2021.
He’s estimated to be worth $88,000 in NIL value.
Accolades
- 2021 Freshman All-SEC
- 2021 Freshman All-American (Football Writers Association of America)
2024 DL Rankings
#1
Leonard Taylor
DL – Miami (FL)
#2
Tyler Davis
DL – Clemson
#3
Michael Hall Jr
DL – Ohio State
#4
Nazir Stackhouse
DL – Georgia
