LSU DL Maason Smith makes decision on future
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith is declaring for 2024 NFL Draft, he announced. The former top-ranked prospect in Louisiana is leaving Baton Rouge after three seasons with the Tigers.
In 2023, he notched 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups in 12 games. Smith returned from a season-ending injury a year prior to play in a career-high number of games for LSU.
He tore his ACL early in the 2022 season opener against Florida State, missing the whole season. Before the 2023 season, he was slotted to multiple mock drafts to land in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
After his injury on the first series of the 2022 season, then coming back and tweaking his ankle in fall camp, Smith worked hard this season to recover. He played some of his best football this season down the stretch for the Tigers.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Kirk Herbstreit
Shot fired at First Take, Stephen A. Smith
- 2New
Ohio State vs. Oregon odds
Early Rose Bowl line released
- 3
Updated CFP Bracket
Quarterfinal matchups set
- 4Trending
Paul Finebaum
ESPN host rips CFP amid blowout
- 5
Klatt blasts Kiffin
Ole Miss HC called out for tweets
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“There have been ups and downs, but the last couple of weeks I’ve been steadily getting better,” Smith said. “For me it was just getting back to who I am and who I know I can be. It was just getting the rust off and now with coach Jenkins teaching me good technique and how to act and think right it will go a long way for me. I’m comfortable to know I’m prepared now.”
Smith was a 2021 Freshman All-American. He racked up 19 tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks in nine games played.
The former Houma (La.) Terrebonne High star was a five-star prospect in the class of 2021. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Smith was the No. 11 overall prospect in the country, No. 4 defensive tackle in America and No. 1 prospect in Louisiana.
