B/R Interview: Texas Longhorns' Greg Smith Prepares for NFL Draft

In the past year, University of Texas tight end Greg Smith had as about as many up and downs on the football field as one could imagine.

Smith went from the high of competing for a BCS Championship, to the ultimate low of a disappointing senior season as the Longhorns failed to reach a bowl game, back to the top of the mountain as he prepares to be selected in this season’s NFL Draft.

“It was a range of emotions for sure,” said Smith. “This past season was a real up and down season. Spring ball was so promising and then things slowly started not to go our way and it seemed the harder we worked, the worse things seemed to go.”

While at Texas, Smith accomplished a lot, being a part of a team that appeared in two BCS games during his time—success Smith attributes to Longhorns coach Mack Brown.

“Mack is one of the most knowledgeable football people you could ever be around,” said Smith. “Players from Texas seem to do well because he has high expectations for every player that puts on that uniform and he makes you strive to reach them.”

If you look up the definition of team player in the dictionary, there very well may be a picture of Smith next to it, traits he showed off time and time again as a Longhorn.

Smith came to Texas as a receiving tight end, but as things played out, he really never got the chance to show off what he could do in the Texas passing game. Due to injuries on the offensive line early in his career, Smith was forced to play every position on the offensive line and ultimately became a blocking tight end and a short yardage receiver.

If he could do it over, Smith wouldn’t change a thing.

“You do what the coaches ask you to do,” added Smith. “Anything I was asked to do, you just do it. Especially playing for Texas. I just try and catch everything thrown my way and do whatever else I’m asked to do.”

In sports, labels can stick with a player. Smith didn’t want to enter the draft being labeled a short yardage receiver and blocking tight end. He got the opportunity to try and show scouts what type of complete tight end he could be at the East-West Shrine Game.

“The whole experience of the East-West Shrine Game was awesome,” said Smith. “In college I really wasn’t able to shed the label of an offensive lineman. At the shrine game I was able to show people that I can stretch the field and have good hands. I felt the whole week went very well.”

As he prepares for the draft, one thing teams have to take notice of is Smith’s versatility. Several players can do specific things very well. There are your pass catching tight ends and your blocking tight ends, but one thing that will ultimately attract Smith to teams is the fact that he’s a football player—and that’s the highest compliment a guy in Smith’s shoes can receive.

He not only is willing, but does everything on the field very well. He’s a guy who can catch the football, but also lettered at every position on the offensive line.

He’s not only versatile, but a smart player as well. There’s not a coach walking the sidelines in today’s NFL that wouldn’t want to be able to call on a guy like Smith to get the job done. The one type of player coaches like the best are the ones they can describe as a “football player."

Those words describe Smith perfectly.

“I just look forward to getting drafted first,” said Smith. “It’s been a lifelong dream. After that, I’m confident I can mold myself into whatever my team needs.”

As Smith trains in California for his pro day on March 29, the thought of no football in 2011 is a real possibility, even though he is so close to his dream.

“I try not to think about it much,” added Smith on the current NFL lockout. “Football is such a huge part of our society. Especially for a guy like me growing up in Texas where high school football is a religion. The lockout creates some questions in your mind, but I’m confident those things will work out fine.”