Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith announces NFL departure
Penn State junior linebacker Brandon Smith is going pro and skipping the Nittany Lions’ Outback Bowl appearance.
Making his announcement via Twitter, the third-year Nittany Lion said his goodbyes to the program.
Brandon Smith’s goodbye statement
“First and foremost I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to wake up every morning, do what I do every day, and at the end the day, be as healthy as possible. I want to thank all the coaches across the country who believed in me and gave me multiple opportunities to play at the Division I level. I realize, many either take the opportunity for granted or don’t even get the chance at all. I would also like to thank my parents, mentors and support system far the many long late night conversations about my future and most importantly, about life itself.
“To my teammates, I want to thank you all for all the memories we’ve had, and I appreciate you all for believing in me while we battled on the field. You all are my brothers and I’m always a call or message away, To Coach Franklin and my coaches, thank you all for taking a chance on someone from Louisa, a small town in Virginia where almost nobody gets out and is given the opportunity to do what I have been able to do at Penn State. The past three years of my life have given me the opportunity better myself in many ways, on and off the football field.
“With that being said, I am going to forgo my senior year and the bowl game and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. I will continue to work hard and do my best to represent my school and my family to the best of my ability on and off the field.
“We Are Penn State! Thank You for the many memories and smiles, and I am thankful for my time here, 12 Brandon Smith”
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Smith’s career at Penn State wrapped with 34 games played, making 132 tackles including 14.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks. He also complemented his tackle stats with an interception in 2020, seven passes defended total, a forced fumble this season and a fumble recovery last.
Smith finished the 2021 season with a PFF grade of 59.7, lowest among all Nittany Lion starters. As BWI’s interview with strength coach Dwight Galt revealed ahead of the season, however, Smith’s athleticism has been undeniable throughout his career, landing Smith at No. 2 on Galt’s preseason “freaks” list.
“He’s put on some great weight. He came in at 230, now weighs 245. His vertical when he came in was 30, now it’s 36.5. So here’s a guy that’s gained 15 pounds and put six and a half inches on his vertical. 4.14 shuttle is elite for a guy that size. 4.43 40, elite. 11-foot broad jump is combine elite,” Galt said. “These are all numbers that will be top-level combine numbers. 350 clean, 360 bench, and 525 squat. And his best index is 663. He’s the deal… You’re talking now about national combine, elite stuff. He’s a baby Micah Parsons from this perspective.”
