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The Daily OrangeFB | 'I just want a look': Taj Smith, 24, decided it was time to leave school for a chance at the NFL
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 4/8/08, 12:14 AM EST Section: Sports
For Smith, though, the opportunity to move forward outweighs the forces holding him back. At 24 years old (he turns 25 in September.), the junior college transfer in reality, had a fairly easy decision to make in joining seniors Jameel McClain, Joe Fields and Dowayne Davis as NFL hopefuls.
"I always felt I was just as good as anybody on any given day," Smith said. "Just the opportunity that (other NFL prospects) had was different than mine."
But Smith didn't hastily jump into a rash pronouncement. He secured his future with a degree (he will graduate as a child and family studies major in May) and a career (he plans to be a family counselor at the Children's Hospital at Beth Israel Medical Center in his hometown of Newark, N.J.) if the whole football thing doesn't work out.
Though at this point, Beth Israel may have to wait. Smith said he made the right decision, and lately his performances suggest the same.
He posted a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at Syracuse's Pro Day in March and finished seventh among wide receivers in the vertical leap at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February. At 6-foot, 187 pounds, he has physical tools that are certainly pro-ready, and most scouting services have him listed as a late-round pick in the April 26-27 NFL Draft.
If that's the case, he will be the first SU receiver drafted since Johnnie Morant in 2004.
"First of all, he has work habits that he will not be outworked by anybody," SU head coach Greg Robinson said. "I believe that. He's worked as hard as anybody I've been around. He's got great work habits; that's important. Two, he can run. And three, he can catch the ball and get deep and do those things."
In fact, it was Robinson that first came to Smith in December and told him he might want to think about taking the next step.
"I thought it was definitely worth his while to find out where his status was," Robinson said. "He's been five years to college. I think it's important that he find out where he's at."
"I always felt I was just as good as anybody on any given day," Smith said. "Just the opportunity that (other NFL prospects) had was different than mine."
But Smith didn't hastily jump into a rash pronouncement. He secured his future with a degree (he will graduate as a child and family studies major in May) and a career (he plans to be a family counselor at the Children's Hospital at Beth Israel Medical Center in his hometown of Newark, N.J.) if the whole football thing doesn't work out.
Though at this point, Beth Israel may have to wait. Smith said he made the right decision, and lately his performances suggest the same.
He posted a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at Syracuse's Pro Day in March and finished seventh among wide receivers in the vertical leap at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February. At 6-foot, 187 pounds, he has physical tools that are certainly pro-ready, and most scouting services have him listed as a late-round pick in the April 26-27 NFL Draft.
If that's the case, he will be the first SU receiver drafted since Johnnie Morant in 2004.
"First of all, he has work habits that he will not be outworked by anybody," SU head coach Greg Robinson said. "I believe that. He's worked as hard as anybody I've been around. He's got great work habits; that's important. Two, he can run. And three, he can catch the ball and get deep and do those things."
In fact, it was Robinson that first came to Smith in December and told him he might want to think about taking the next step.
"I thought it was definitely worth his while to find out where his status was," Robinson said. "He's been five years to college. I think it's important that he find out where he's at."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Marc LeVine
posted 4/08/08 @ 10:47 AM EST
At 24, after four years in school and with his graduation coming in May, why should Smith feel guilty about wanting to leave college to enter the NFL draft?
He's taking a risk? Just about everyone that's not projected as an early round draft pick is taking the same risk. (Continued…)
g33k
posted 4/08/08 @ 4:30 PM EST
No Marc he wasnt cheated out of a winning season, he was part of the losing season. He is as much to blame for the compiling losses as anybody else. He dropped alot of passes on many different occasions. (Continued…)
Shahid M. Allah
posted 4/09/08 @ 11:23 AM EST
Peace Bro. Tajiddin!
Go ahead, Que! Persevere!!! Make it happen, bruh! Surely THE LORD has good things in store for you, man.
The BROS are behind you 1,000%!
Peace,
Sha-
3-K-84
rashaun ali hawes
posted 5/12/08 @ 1:50 PM EST
yo wats good this ur cuz rara
marvin son
so dream big and make it happen
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