Every year, NFL teams look high and low for the best college football prospects, often finding diamonds in the rough at smaller programs who end up making a huge impact on Sundays.
If your favorite team is looking for that kind of player on the edge of their defensive front in the 2021 NFL Draft, Northern Iowa’s Elerson Smith should be on their list.
A versatile rusher with a knack for making the big play, Smith recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his expectations for the 2020 season, the challenges of navigating offseason preparations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he’s working to improve this year.
JM: This is a big season for you. The spread of COVID-19 has brought many challenges. How are you finding ways to work out and improve your game with so many restrictions in place?
ES: I’m lucky enough to have a squat rack in my garage. Actually, I have a full Olympic lifting set and squat rack. That’s how I’ve survived the pandemic. A teammate of mine, one of his family member’s actually hooked me up. I’m extremely thankful to the family. Its kept me in shape and working hard. I’m also getting onto the field whenever I can. I’m trying to stick to a “normal” schedule despite everything that’s going on.
JM: What are you hoping to achieve as a defense this season?
ES: We have very high expectations for our defense this season. We really got things going as a defense towards the end of last season. We were holding teams to 10-14 points a game. We were playing really good defense out there. Almost everybody from last year is returning. We only lost a handful of guys. I’m looking forward to taking things week-by-week. We’re going to do everything we can to help our offense. If we can hold teams to about 10 points, it should be enough for us to go out there and win some ball games.
JM: What can you tell me about the scheme that you guys are running on defense?
ES: We’re a pretty versatile defense. We’ll switch from a four-man front to a three-man front quite often. It just depends on the personnel of the offense. Sometimes we’ll roll with six defensive backs on the field. We do some things with our linebackers. Most of the time, we line up in a 4-3 defense. We run that more than anything. We’re very versatile. We can line up all over the place.
JM: What are three traits that an EDGE rusher must possess in order to be successful?
ES: A good first step is huge. You want to put pressure on the offensive tackle right off the snap. You want to get them on their feet and attack them really. You don’t want them to comfortably settle into their stance. A good first step is huge. You need to be physical. You want to be physical and be able to incorporate a bull-rush into your game, you want to be able to come inside. You can’t let the offensive linemen get a hold of you. That’s never a good thing.
Lastly, you have to be savvy. You have to be savvy with your hands. You have to find ways to win with your hands. Every offensive tackle is different. Each game is a new game, and you have to approach it that way. You have to find ways to win. Whether that means going around a guy, going inside or going underneath him, it doesn’t matter; just find ways to win. Being savvy means finding ways to win.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the EDGE position?
ES: I love getting a good strip-sack. That’s probably my favorite part. That’s always fun. Creating a turnover and having a big impact on the game is fun. It can be a huge turning point. When you’re rushing the passer, you’re sort of on an island with the offensive tackle. I love that. It’s often a one-on-one situation. It gives you a chance to show what you’ve got. I enjoy doing whatever I gotta do to win.
JM: Who are some of the best offensive linemen you’ve gone up against?
ES: This past year, I would definitely say Dillon Radunz from NDSU. He’s a good player. He’s physical and moves well for his size. He definitely comes to mind. If I think back a little further, I played against Iowa a few years ago when they had Tristan Wirfs and Alaric Jackson. They were both very good. Those three guys come to mind.
JM: Do you feel you’re more developed as a pass rusher or run stopper at this point in time?
ES: I’d have to say that I’m a better pass rusher at this point. I’ve been looking at the film from my past few seasons. I can admit that some of my run fits need some work. I have room to improve in the run game. I think I’ve taken some strides there, but there’s still more work to be done. I’m definitely a better pass rusher at this very moment.
JM: What can you tell me about your pass rush arsenal?
ES: I’m a versatile rusher. I can rush from both inside and outside. I can beat guys around the edge. I have some power to my game, I can use a bull-rush and come inside. I honestly just use whichever move I think will work best in that very moment. I’m pretty versatile and can win with a variety of moves as a pass rusher.
JM: You’re a multi-sport athlete. You’ve participated in track and field, basketball and wrestling, just to name a few. How do you think playing all of those sports helped you become a better football player?
ES: I think it’s huge. You can attribute any of those sports to some aspect of football. You can look at the straight line speed of track or the leverage of wrestling and see how those things have made me a better pass rusher. It’s been huge for me as a defensive linemen. I’m really glad that I spent my time in high school playing as many different sports as I could. I built so many relationships and developed so many skills that way. I had a lot of fun being placed in so many different situations, and I learned a lot.
JM: I find that kids are sometimes encouraged to specialize in one sport too early. They think they need to focus on one sport, but don’t realize how playing multiple sports in high school can actually help you once it’s time to specialize.
ES: Yeah, that’s very true. I totally agree with you. I don’t know what the kids are doing nowadays, but I would definitely encourage anybody that’s interested in pursuing professional sports to play as many different sports as they can handle growing up. It will only help you in the long run.
JM: What are your personal goals for this upcoming season?
ES: I don’t really keep track of any personal goals. I’m trying to get better every single day. Every practice gives you an opportunity to get better. As a team, our main goal is to win a National Championship. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.
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