2014 - Braden Smith

[CoverTwo]

Offensive Lineman from Olathe, Kansas

Offers from USC, Iowa, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and TCU.

Rivals Bio

Scout Bio

ESPN Bio

247 Bio

[CoverTwo]

Early 5 star for 2014

Article via MP

Smith is the best prospect from the state of Kansas since Bryce Brown and has elite feet and a great frame to develop into a top offensive tackle prospect in college.

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/Virgini...4-Top-25-72546

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Article via MP

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Article via HI

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Article via Rivals

"Smith just missed landing a fifth star out of the gate, and it's hard to imagine that he won't add one eventually," said Rivals.com West analyst Rob Cassidy, who also handles the JUCO prospects as well as prospects in Kansas and Missouri.

"He moves tremendously for his impressive size and plays with the sort of aggression that coaches love. Strangely, the only real knock on Smith has nothing to do with Smith. Playing out of position at guard has restricted him from showcasing his full range of talent."

Link: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1435255

[CoverTwo]

The offensive line prospect everyone in attendance was waiting to see was Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./South). Well Smith checked just as expected at 6-foot-6 ¼ and 285-pounds. The uber-flexible Smith tested pretty well too clocking a 5.12 40, 4.65 pro-agility shuttle and 35 1/2 –inch vertical. Smith, who has shorter arms than ideally are desired at tackle, threw up a combine best 39 reps of 185-pounds on the bench press. In one-on-one’s, Smith struggled a bit in space on the edge. Whether he plays guard, which is where we project him, or tackle, he will be flat back road-grater in the run game with the ability to pull. Smith has verbal offers from nearly every top program in the country.

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/Under-A...-Report-110566

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One of the more physically impressive offensive linemen in the nation on the hoof, Smith is the state of Kansas' highest-ranked prospect in several cycles. The 6-foot-6, 282-pounder helped Olathe South to a state championship as a sophomore and followed that up with a solid junior campaign. Smith rarely comes off the field for the Falcons, being the basis for the run game in their wing-t offense in addition to playing defensive tackle, where he tallied 26 tackles, and 3 sacks in 2012. The 247Composite five-star holds over 15 offers and has yet to name top schools, but Nebraska, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, and Texas A&M are among the programs thought to be in the best position heading into offseason visits.

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/247Spor...an-Team-115768

"As a purely physical specimen, Smith is an unquestioned five-star," said Rivals.com West analyst Rob Cassidy, who also scouts Missouri and Kansas. "He's got the best build of any offensive lineman in the country. In a lot of ways, he boasts a college-ready body as a high school junior. On film, he's the dominate force you'd expect. The sticking point is the fact that he plays out of position at the guard spot on the high school level.

"His high school team rarely throws, so Smith has not been given much chance to showcase his pass-blocking technique. His standing as a four-star at this early juncture has nothing do with anything he's done wrong; as he's great in every situation he's put into. It's just that nobody has seen him showcase his full potential. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time until he adds his last star," Cassidy said.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...0948&PT=4&PR=2

[CoverTwo]

Which prospect who missed out on five-star status generated the most discussion/argument among the analysts?

Braden Smith was a guy we had a lengthy discussion on for five-star status. He has outstanding film on which he dominates the competition and the offer list is definitely impressive, but we decided to hold off for a little while. The highlight tape is tough to read because it's not against top-level competition, so we really want to see him on the national stage to compare him against some other offensive linemen. Smith could be a special prospect, though.

On my end, it was tackle Braden Smith. Smith's build is unparalleled in this class. Body-wise he's college ready right now -- like, today. His film is impressive, and so is his motor. Smith is a machine in the weight room and one of those players who trains around the clock. Ultimately, he fell short because he plays out of position (at guard) for his high school team, which rarely passes the ball. There isn't enough known about his pass blocking to warrant five stars as of yet, but at least in my opinion it's only a matter of time. Smith has shined in every situation he's seen, and there's no reason to think he isn't the dominant force he appears to be.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...2648&PT=4&PR=2

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Link: http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1272667.html

[CoverTwo]

A physically impressive kid, Smith is someone you want leading the way whether it's on a running play, off the bus or into a dark alley. He is a tall kid with a muscular lifter's build and very good upper- and lower-body strength. He's a well-put-together prospect and still young with room for some growth, but he is much closer to his physical ceiling at this stage.

Link: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/re...014-pouring-in

[NJGCfan]

We are listed of warm interest for him on 247 now. There are no visits or anything in the timeline, anyone have insight as to why he likes us now?

[CoverTwo]

Mangus has a connection in his recruitment I believe.

[FearThethumbandDJ]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Mangus has a connection in his recruitment I believe.

Can we get him on campus?

[Lonnie]

Olathe, Kansas is about 15 mins from Lawrence (Where I just happened to be just over a week ago). I can't imagine the Jayhawks not getting him.