2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Alex Smith, DL, Texas A&M-Kingsville

- Name: Alex Smith
- Position: DL
- College: Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 320 lbs
- Twitter: @stayhumble_90
- Instagram: @alextsmith_90
What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
Growing up football was a big part of my life and really my whole family as we always watched football together. My dad is from Anahuac, Texas and my mom is from Homa, Louisiana but we were always Texans fans, so I grew up watching JJ Watt. From then, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a football player and was set on my journey of becoming a professional football player one day.
What are your favorite moments from your football life?
I will say that my favorite moments from my football life were being able to intercept and score two pick-sixes when I was playing junior college football for Kilgore College before transferring to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Another special thing has been being able to build a bond from the first college that I went to transitioning into the college that I am at now building a brotherhood with the guys will be one of the best moments that I could ever ask for.
Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
I would say that it is my dad. Growing up being with him taught me a lot. He struggled all his life, but he always found a way to get over the hump. He is a firm believer in God as a pastor, so he always quotes the scriptures. That has always helped me out throughout my life of being on Earth. My dad suffered from health problems and still is today, but he is still fighting and not giving up. He is still preaching and doing the best that he can every single day, while not complaining about anything. His actions speak louder than his words and I can say that he is my hero.
What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?
I am looking forward to playing one last season with my brothers and being able to clinch a spot in the playoffs to fight for a championship. Coming off a 7-5 record last year we are not satisfied with that, so our mindset is to keep working hard and to keep setting the standard. There’s going to be some new faces coming in so we going to embrace them like we would do anybody else and become a brotherhood to build stronger chemistry with each other, which will ultimately lead to a stronger team. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this team wins a national championship, and I am doing it with a chip on my shoulder knowing that this is going to be my last season of playing college football ever.
If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
It would most definitely be Reggie White. He was one of the most dominant players in NFL football. He could play any position on the defensive line, had vicious hands, and was a monster on the field. If he were still alive, I would love to ask him; how did he become the player he was? What did it take for him to get into the position that he got? And what motivation and drive did he have towards the game that allowed him to play the way he played?
What are your favorite things about playing football for Kingsville?
A few of my favorite things about playing for Kingsville is the culture that it has behind it. Kingsville was well known for being a powerhouse with 34 conference championships, 7 national championships, and 3 Pro Football Hall of Famers in Gene Upshaw, Darrell Green, and John Randall. The culture and history that surrounds Kingsville is something that you do not find in most places.
What should we know about Alex Smith the person?
I am a son to a beautiful mother, Shalinda Smith, and a son to a great father Ronald Smith. I have two older siblings, my sister is the oldest and my brother is the middle child, and I am the youngest. Being surrounded by a God-fearing family I was blessed to be able to continue this journey of finishing school. I will graduate with my bachelor’s degree this upcoming December. I am a person that always keeps God first as without him I could not do anything, so everything I do, I do it through Christ that allows me to continue to push on. I am not afraid of any challenges because I believe that in order to be successful there are going to be many challenges. I was always taught to never give up, especially seeing how my dad provided and then what he had to do that is what motivates me every day to continue to keep pressing on.
What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?
The 4-2-5 is my favorite without a doubt! I believe that you can make many adjustments out of that scheme, it has it’s weaknesses, but you can run anything out of it. This is especially true in the run game, as opponents are not able to do anything in the trenches because this scheme is designed to stop the run we can adjust if any passes are thrown but for the most part, that is my favorite scheme to run.
How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
The way that I handle challenges on and off the field is I always keep God first. I always pray whether in good or bad situations. Prayer has helped me a lot throughout my life and that is one thing I will never stop doing. It allows me to keep pressing on as well as with my family behind me motivating me every step of the journey. One thing about me is that I am never going to run from a problem. I am going to always face the challenge head on.
What would a team get in a player like you?
They will get a humble, devoted, and committed player. An individual that can stuff the run game as well as get after the quarterback on passing downs. I am a person that is going to go beyond great and try to be elite. I am someone who will understand the scheme, what is being run, and execute it at a high level. I am always going to motivate my teammates, while giving it my best every single day.
What stands out about your film the most?
I can play nose guard or the three tech. I am a good pass rusher as well as being skilled at stopping the run. I have a good knock back, and I can maintain my gap as well as controlling the line of scrimmage. I am physical at the point of attack, and am going to pursue to the ball. I am a play maker.
Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?
The most underrated player is Xavier Henderson. He is vicious at the point of attack, a good pass rusher, can stop the run well, is quick off the line, and can take on two defenders at once. He has good footwork, and he can play any position on the line. He is a sleeper people need to see.
Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen