Antoine Smithson of Utah ~ 5.11/200
"Bio: Junior college transfer awarded All-American honors as a punt returner last season. Receiving totals included 25/383/3 in four starts. Led the nation averaging 19.1 yards on 30 returns with two more scores and also averaged 24.7 yards on 22 kick returns. Junior totals included 13/100 as a receiver with an average of 9.5 yards on 13 punt returns.
Positive: Adequate college receiver who will be brought into an NFL camp based on his return skills. Solid route runner who quickly gets out of breaks, stays low on exit, and nicely adjusts to the errant throw. Effectively makes the reception in stride and goes over the middle for the tough catch. Gives effort blocking downfield. Displays some elusiveness and burst returning punts.
Negative: Not quick releasing off the line at receiver. Possesses just one speed and cannot run to daylight or beat defenders into the open field.
Analysis: Smithson is a big receiver who provided major impact returning punts at Utah last season. He's nothing more than a fifth receiver at the next level but will make a roster if he continues to produce returning punts."
Positive: Adequate college receiver who will be brought into an NFL camp based on his return skills. Solid route runner who quickly gets out of breaks, stays low on exit, and nicely adjusts to the errant throw. Effectively makes the reception in stride and goes over the middle for the tough catch. Gives effort blocking downfield. Displays some elusiveness and burst returning punts.
Negative: Not quick releasing off the line at receiver. Possesses just one speed and cannot run to daylight or beat defenders into the open field.
Analysis: Smithson is a big receiver who provided major impact returning punts at Utah last season. He's nothing more than a fifth receiver at the next level but will make a roster if he continues to produce returning punts."
"Overview: 2010-Second-Team All-MWC as a returner...Played in all 13 games, starting in four of those games...caught 25 passes for 383 yards and three scores...Also ran the ball four times for 33 yards...Returned 21 kickoffs for 24.1 yard average...Led the FBS with a 19.1 yard average on punt returns...Returned two punts for touchdowns, which was tied for second best in the FBS.
2009-Played in 10 games ... missed two games with an ankle injury ... receiver filled in at running back when injuries depleted the position ... 13 receptions for 100 yards ... five catches for 33 yards against Oregon ... long catch of 24 yards vs. BYU ... rushed 27 times for 99 yards (3.7 average) with three touchdowns ... season-high nine carries for 31 yards and a touchdown against San Diego State ... scored twice against TCU on a pair of 10-yard runs, finishing with five carries for 23 yards ... long rush of 22 yards came against Colorado State ... often lined up behind center in the "Shaky Formation" and was 2-for-7 passing for 10 yards ... also returned kickoffs and punts ... led Utah in kickoff returns (22) and yards (543) ... 24.7 yards per kickoff return ranked fourth in the MWC ... long kickoff return of 61 yards against Cal in the Poinsettia Bowl ... seven kickoff returns for 167 yards against TCU ... six kickoff returns for 140 yards against Oregon ... returned punts the last three games of the season, averaging 9.5 yards on 13 returns (123 yards) to rank fourth in the MWC ... five punt returns for 67 yards against BYU included a long of 40 yards ... averaged 86.5 all-purpose yards per game to rank eighth in the MWC.
PRIOR TO UTAH: 2007 first-team all-conference receiver ... 2008 first-team all-conference all-purpose ... 2008 first-team all-region ... led East L.A. CC in rushing (83 carries, 348 yards, 4.2 average, 4 touchdowns), receiving (58 catches, 795 yards, 3 TDs, 79.5 yards per game), punt returns (5 for 61 yards, 12.2 average), scoring (44 points) and all-purpose yards in 2008 ... also completed three passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns his sophomore season and had 14 kickoff returns for 280 yards ... seven catches for 235 yards against Glendale ... against Santa Monica, passed for 162 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 102 yards and one score and had 117 yards receiving ... lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Frederick Douglas High School (Md.) ... first-team all-city as a quarterback and receiver in 2004 and 2005 ... 2005 all-metro first team ... TD Club All-Star team ... two-time first-team all-city basketball player ... also made the all-city second team twice ... MVP of 2005 all-star game ... first-team all-city baseball player in 2004 ... played for the 2004 state champion basketball team.
PERSONAL: Son of Tony and Lori Smithson ... two brothers and four sisters ... is the legal guardian of his younger brother Anthony ... featured in HBO documentary "Hard Times at Douglas High" as the point guard and team captain ... sociology major ... full name is Antoine Lee Smithson but prefers Shaky ... born Aug. 23, 1987.
Strengths: Electric reciver and returner with the ball in his hands. A playmaker in the open field. Great quickness and speed. Makes guys miss with a combination of jukes and his COD skills. Has the speed to take the ball the distance on any play. Shows ability as a ball carrier with his vision and athleticism on the edge.
Weaknesses: Very raw as a receiver. His route running needs to improve. His size won't allow him to be more than a slot receiver at the next level. Has had fumbling issues. Needs to get ball to his outside arm more often.
Projection: UDFA. He has a lot of work to do to be an NFL receiver, but he has the potential to be a good returner at the next level."
2009-Played in 10 games ... missed two games with an ankle injury ... receiver filled in at running back when injuries depleted the position ... 13 receptions for 100 yards ... five catches for 33 yards against Oregon ... long catch of 24 yards vs. BYU ... rushed 27 times for 99 yards (3.7 average) with three touchdowns ... season-high nine carries for 31 yards and a touchdown against San Diego State ... scored twice against TCU on a pair of 10-yard runs, finishing with five carries for 23 yards ... long rush of 22 yards came against Colorado State ... often lined up behind center in the "Shaky Formation" and was 2-for-7 passing for 10 yards ... also returned kickoffs and punts ... led Utah in kickoff returns (22) and yards (543) ... 24.7 yards per kickoff return ranked fourth in the MWC ... long kickoff return of 61 yards against Cal in the Poinsettia Bowl ... seven kickoff returns for 167 yards against TCU ... six kickoff returns for 140 yards against Oregon ... returned punts the last three games of the season, averaging 9.5 yards on 13 returns (123 yards) to rank fourth in the MWC ... five punt returns for 67 yards against BYU included a long of 40 yards ... averaged 86.5 all-purpose yards per game to rank eighth in the MWC.
PRIOR TO UTAH: 2007 first-team all-conference receiver ... 2008 first-team all-conference all-purpose ... 2008 first-team all-region ... led East L.A. CC in rushing (83 carries, 348 yards, 4.2 average, 4 touchdowns), receiving (58 catches, 795 yards, 3 TDs, 79.5 yards per game), punt returns (5 for 61 yards, 12.2 average), scoring (44 points) and all-purpose yards in 2008 ... also completed three passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns his sophomore season and had 14 kickoff returns for 280 yards ... seven catches for 235 yards against Glendale ... against Santa Monica, passed for 162 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 102 yards and one score and had 117 yards receiving ... lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Frederick Douglas High School (Md.) ... first-team all-city as a quarterback and receiver in 2004 and 2005 ... 2005 all-metro first team ... TD Club All-Star team ... two-time first-team all-city basketball player ... also made the all-city second team twice ... MVP of 2005 all-star game ... first-team all-city baseball player in 2004 ... played for the 2004 state champion basketball team.
PERSONAL: Son of Tony and Lori Smithson ... two brothers and four sisters ... is the legal guardian of his younger brother Anthony ... featured in HBO documentary "Hard Times at Douglas High" as the point guard and team captain ... sociology major ... full name is Antoine Lee Smithson but prefers Shaky ... born Aug. 23, 1987.
Strengths: Electric reciver and returner with the ball in his hands. A playmaker in the open field. Great quickness and speed. Makes guys miss with a combination of jukes and his COD skills. Has the speed to take the ball the distance on any play. Shows ability as a ball carrier with his vision and athleticism on the edge.
Weaknesses: Very raw as a receiver. His route running needs to improve. His size won't allow him to be more than a slot receiver at the next level. Has had fumbling issues. Needs to get ball to his outside arm more often.
Projection: UDFA. He has a lot of work to do to be an NFL receiver, but he has the potential to be a good returner at the next level."
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