Studs in Spandex “The Underwear Olympics"

Notre Dame's Harrison

Smith

The NFL Combine starts Thursday in Indianapolis, a fleshfest of hopeful future pros lifting weights, running routes and doing drills all while wearing tight Underarmour-type outfits. It’s no wonder Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk dubbed them the “Underwear Olympics.”

Not too long ago, the league even showed the weigh-ins, where the player would strip to their briefs, but stopped the practice because too many players found the process uncomfortable. Nonetheless, you will hear scouts, analysts and writers gushing about the bodies on these guys like they were flipping through Manhunt profiles. Take the pre-combine talk about studly Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith:

“A few players passed the eyeball test with flying colors, beginning with Notre Dame DB Harrison Smith, who was absolutely shredded at 6-1¾ and 212 pounds. Smith was in perfect shape, appearing tall and ripped.”

“A thick, well built safety who looks the part, has a natural bubble and muscular upper body.”A thick, well built safety who looks the part, has a natural bubble and muscular upper body. Is very effective playing downhill inside the box and consistently gets early jumps on the ball, reads and reacts quickly and exhibits "plus" instincts as a run defender. Is routinely able to read the action quickly, close on the football and is a solid wrap-up tackler. Generates good power into contact working in pursuit, and once he gets his stride going, exhibits solid range off his frame and despite being a bit tight, he breaks down well on contact, using his strong upper body to wrap and runs his legs through contact. He understands angles, runs the alley well and routinely is able to wrap, even in the open field.

Those same instincts show up well in the pass game, as he's a bit of a ball hawk who has the ability to routinely get early jumps on the football. Exhibits impressive instincts, which routinely allows him to get early jumps on the football and put himself around the play. Looks a bit tight in his drop, causing him to get upright and he will get elongated/overextended with his footwork when looking to click and close, losing a bit out of his breaks. However, he's consistently moving toward the action before any defender and, once he collects himself, has a better closing burst than given credit for. Lacks great straight-line speed, but looks like a 4.55 guy who plays faster because of instincts. Exhibits good ball skills, taking proper angles toward the throw, and can adjust and make a play. Will play over the slot at times and does a nice job feeling routes develop around him, squatting on throws, keeping his feet under him, his base down and is much cleaner out of his breaks. Nevertheless, he lacks a great initial first step and looks tighter when asked to turn and run. He gets upright, struggles to get back up to speed quickly and lacks the type of second gear to make up for a false step.

Impression: Isn't a guy you want to trust to run with receivers down the field. However, because of his solid natural range and instincts, I can see him getting over the top and making plays in a center field type role as an NFL strong safety.