Day 3 Players To Keep An Eye On

Brashard Smith, RB SMU

As you’ve probably heard 100 times now, this year’s RB class is insanely deep and versatile. Smith is a former WR for Miami but made the switch to RB after transferring to SMU this past season and had a great year. The Miami transfer broke out with 1332 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs and even had a career high 39 catches for 327 yards and 2 TDs. 

When watching Brashard Smith's film from the 2024 season his speed and vision pop off the screen. The speed was validated at the Combine when he ran a blistering 4.39 40 yard dash. He shows great contact balance and a knack for creating space and gaining extra yards. The former WR skills show in his route running and run after the catch ability as he can really do some damage with the ball in his hands. Smith does need to get a lot better at pass pro and is still growing into the position. If he lands in the right situation he has the tools to develop into a solid pass catching to change of pace RB2

Isaac TeSlaa, WR Arkansas

A late riser in some circles but TeSlaa really started coming up on the public's radar after running a 4.43 40, and posting a 39.5” vertical and a 10’-9” broad jump. His Relative Athletic Score is an impressive 9.93 (out of 10) which ranks 2nd in this class. TeSlaa is an athletic freak who shows toughness in blocking and the ability to take on tackles at the point of contact. Arkansas' offense didn't do him any favors but TeSlaa has strong hands and a big frame (6-4 214) and shows flashes of being a capable possession receiver and a real red zone threat. Teams looking at TeSlaa will be interested in his hand eye coordination in traffic and tracking the deep ball. He doesn't have the stats in the SEC you would like to see but as a player who's still developing he has the athletic profile that offensive coordinators are searching for. The former Razorback wideout should hear his name called around the late fourth or early fifth round. 

Upton Stout, CB Western Kentucky 

A smaller corner at 5’8 185 lbs Upton Stout is sticky in man coverage who plays with a fire under his behind on every snap. A fluid athlete who can change directions quickly and get from a back pedal to full sprint smoothly, Stout is aggressive in the run game and displays fundamentally sound tackling methods. Stout is likely to hear his name after round 5 and I can see him carving out a role as a slot corner with special teams upside. For someone being drafted as late as he’s projected, the fiery play style and aggressiveness will go a long way into making a team’s final 53. 

- Vincenzo Sciacqua // Upside Play