Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about GARY SMITH III:
UCLA | Hometown: Shelbyville, TN | HT: 6007 | WT: 323 | 40 time: 5.15 | Hand: 0934 | Arm: 3312 | Wing: 8078
Three-year starter. All-Big 10 honorable mention this past season. Experienced player with 50 games under his belt over six collegiate seasons. Ginormous interior lineman with a huge midsection and tree trunk legs. Best in two-gap schemes where he can utilize his giant frame to take up space. Enticing movements skills for someone of his size with quick feet and surprising agility. A handful to block; his monstrous size requires linemen to give him their full attention. Takes on head-up blocks with authority, utilizing solid hand placement to work inside and control blockers. Peeks into the backfield to locate runners, ready to show up when his name is called. Anchors down and can become immovable with a strong lower half and active feet. Able to detect from blocks and show up in running lanes when ball carriers test him. Overpowers linemen and can drive them back on contact with strength and continuous effort. Absorbs double teams with little movement off the ball. Surprisingly useful in stunts where he uses his athletic ability and large frame to both pick and loop. Little vertical movement with his first step and more so braces for impact. Needs more violence when contacting opponents; shoots his hands late. On scoop blocks linemen can get him off the ball when getting their inside hand underneath his pads. Gets sealed off too frequently on stretch plays. Provides limited value in pass rush with very little success getting past blockers in pass protection. High pad level off the ball limits his ability to collapse the pocket.
2025 Stats: 39 T, 1.5 TFL, .5 sack. Draft projection: 7th round/PFA