2021 NFL Draft: 10 Day 3 sleepers who could be pro studs

By Randy Gurzi | Apr 16, 2021

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Tay Gowan #23 of the UCF Knights breaks up a pass intended for Armani Levias #15 of the Marshall Thundering Herd during the fourth quarter at the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

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Jordan Smith, 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

9. Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB

Another EDGE to keep an eye on in the later rounds is Jordan Smith from the University of Alabama at Birmingham — however, that’s not where his collegiate career began. Smith was originally with the Florida Gators but was suspended back in 2017 when there were several players involved in a credit card scheme ‚— which included guys such as Antonio Callaway.

After a stint in junior college, Smith moved to UAB where he started to show what made him so attractive to the Gators. Smith (who is 6-6 and 255 pounds with an incredible reach) had 89 tackles, 23.5 for a loss, 12.5 sacks, and an interception in two seasons for UAB.

As impressive as those numbers are, he’s still considered raw. On top of that, he didn’t face elite talent while playing in the Conference USA.

For those reasons, he could end up sliding some in the draft — and if he does, some team will end up with a potential diamond in the rough.

As for his potential NFL fit, Smith is being touted as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 defense but his size shouldn’t limit him to that role. A team that believes he can play with his hand in the dirt shouldn’t shy away from him by any means.

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