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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Adam Smith, WR, Guilford College

Guilford wide receiver Adam Smith has been a stud this year and could be the next D3 player
Guilford wide receiver Adam Smith has been a stud this year and could be the next D3 player

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name? 

My name’s Adam Smith.

What is your Height/Weight? 

5’10, 172 pounds.

What is your position? 

Wide Receiver.

Where do you play college football? 

Guilford College, Greensboro, NC.

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

The coolest thing I have been able to do off the field was based on my goal in life, which is to help other athletes perform to their potential. I have had the opportunity over the past two years during breaks from school, to work as an intern assistant coach with my former high school, Davie County High School in Mocksville, NC. I had never experienced the feeling I got when coaching, because I was able to help high school football players excel in their passion on the field. No better feeling than doing for others. 

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take? 

Research Methods in Exercise and Sport Science. 

Where are you from? 

Mocksville, North Carolina. 

Who is your role model, and why?

My parents, because they raised me to be the man I am today. They have sacrificed time, money, and all sorts of things to ensure my shot at success.  

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played basketball and was a hurdler in track & field. 

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played quarterback up until my freshman year at Guilford, and a little bit of corner in high school. 

At your position, what separates you from others? 

My speed, knowledge of the game, reliability, and versatility. I have been consistently timed running a 4.4 40 yard dash. That has helped make me a deep threat that stretches the field and helps open up more underneath game in our offense. I have learned from all of my coaches in the past about defenses; how to find open areas in different types of zones, how to manipulate zone schemes to get open, and simply being able to read defenses as a whole and knowing where to be in my role as a wide receiver. Also, a wide receiver needs sure hands and to be trusted by his quarterback. I’m able to build a connection with a quarterback quicker than most, considering I played the position. Instead of playing one position at Guilford, I play all 4 of our spread offense receiver positions. I can play inside, outside, or come out of the backfield and be effective by running crisp routes in all positions. 

adam smithWhen you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for the leverage of each defender and ways each one of may tip off their assignment pre-snap. I will also look for the how each defensive back plays specific routes or stems of routes, so I know how I can get the most open. I look at each defensive back’s aggressiveness to know how I’ll exploit their over-aggression or timidness in the game. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

As a WR, Free Safety Satiir Stevenson is the toughest player I’ve faced. 2x D3Football.com All-American that I practiced against daily at Guilford. He taught me a lot about the importance of winning 1 on 1 matchups. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

Desean Jackson. Although he has a small frame, he’s never let it stop him. He is able to use his elite speed and playmaking ability from all positions at WR. He is also known as being a deep threat guy that you do not want behind your defense. 

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest obstacle I’ve had to deal with is the perception of my size. I still do deal with it. But I overcome that obstacle by continuing to prove myself by being better than the man in front of me, and more importantly, better than I was the day before. When it comes down to it, I try to prove myself by production on the field. The numbers never lie. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I’m a little more superstitious than I’d like to admit. I have a teammate of mine tape my wrists before every game. Before warm-ups, our skill guys throw some routes. When every receiver and quarterback is done, I catch a deep post from Matt Pawlowski, our starting quarterback, and we head into the locker room with one another. Then, when the team comes out to the field, I look into the sky, smile, and thank God for blessing me so much. 

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome? 

I need to prove that I am not producing or successful because my competition is DIII level competition. I will not receive much exposure when compared to an FBS or FCS guy. Those obstacles make scouts doubtful of true ability. So continuing to dominate the given competition is the first way I’ll overcome these obstacles.

What is your biggest strength? 

My speed and versatility, because my game as a wide receiver starts with speed. If I can run past, or away, from a defensive back, it is easier for me to make a play. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

My blocking ability, because in our offense, I am not very often a run blocker. I have improved drastically in that part of my game in the past years. 

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

“My name is Adam Smith, wide receiver from Guilford College.There are 32 teams in the NFL and 9 teams in the CFL. I just need one opportunity and I’d love for that opportunity to be with your franchise. I have the ability to play anywhere on the field in order to help the offense be successful. I understand defenses and the game more than the average receiver. I’ll play fast and make plays. I do not make costly mistakes on or off the field, like dropping balls or getting into trouble. I love to win and will work to help my team do that.”

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite player growing up was Tom Brady. Watching him pick apart defenses is special. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
My granddad, Kobe Bryant, and Jesus Christ.
With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

I would not blow my first paycheck, I would save it. My dad always told me, “Your football career could end in one play.” So I’d save my money to help support my family and I after football is over.

Rapid Answers:

  • Spongebob or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
  • Backstreet Boys or One Direction?
  • Lifetime Channel or HGTV?
  • Waffles or Pancakes?
  • Snakes or Spiders?
  • Madden or Mario?

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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