Nigel Smith II
- Pos DL
- Height 6-4
- Weight 255
Prospect Info
- High School Melissa
- City Melissa, TX
- Exp 2024 - ...
H.S. Scouting Report
Evaluated 03/14/2023
Good height and general build that fits myriad front-line defensive roles. Size not verified and length unknown, but frame looks plenty big enough to provide high-end bulking capacity.
Strength- and power-oriented defensive playmaker who often overwhelms high school blockers. Displays above average first-step explosion.
Capable of getting on top of offensive linemen quickly and getting them on their heels. Also flashes knife-through ability at times to make plays in the backfield. Encouraging redirecting suddenness for a bigger-bodied D-lineman.
Dangerous bull rusher vs. high school opponents. Will take a blocker into the quarterback if required. Also displays encouraging pursuit athleticism and range relative to size and role, including some chase-down examples.
Will need to add nuance to move set, particularly as a rusher. Varying speeds and movement patterns could help raise pass-rushing ceiling. Get-off is usually twitchy but snap anticipation can improve. Taller prospect whose pad level sometimes sacrifices leverage.
Legitimate high-major defensive line prospect with a desired multi-sport background (basketball) that often reflects in on-field functional athleticism. Ideally more physical and athletic data becomes available between junior and senior seasons, but appears to own physical traits and on-field context to eventually become a quality P5 defender with a long-term ceiling that could lead to the NFL.
H.S. Athletic Background
Also plays basketball.
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2023: Texas District 7-5A D-II Defensive MVP as a senior. Helped Melissa to a 10-2 record and a 5A D-II second-round playoff appearance.
2022: Texas District 7-5A D-II Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior; Texas Sportswriters Association (TSWA) Class 5A first-team all-state selection as a junior.
2021: Texas District 7-4A D-I unanimous Defensive Lineman of the Year as a sophomore
2020: Texas District 7-4A D-I Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.
Connections
- Nigel Smith Father
Former SMU basketball center in the early 2000s