The 2018 NFL Draft saw a string of exceptional players, with their dreams of playing in the NFL finally becoming a reality. One of them is Roquan Smith, a former 4-star rookie and the latest Butkus Award recipient. He played college football at the University of Georgia where his athletic traits are excellent and was drafted by the Chicago Bears. Although he has yet to make his professional debut, he is already considered one of the best defensive rookies in the game with the skill of a Pro Bowl level talent.
Who is Roquan Smith?
Roquan Smith is the Chicago Bears’ eighth pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s one of the top high school linebacker scouts in the nation.
The Bears first-round draft pick was born in Montezuma, Georgia, United States on April 8, 1997. He played high school football in Macon County, Montezuma, where he was highly influential and led colleges to him. notice and coming for him, especially at UCLA and Georgia. He received a scholarship from UCLA and originally committed to play for the Bruins on signing day but pulled out when former Bruins defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took a job with the Falcons from Atlanta the day after Signing Day, deciding instead to pitch its tent with the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
A true freshman, Roquan appeared in 12 games recording 20 tackles and 95 in his sophomore year where he started 10 out of 13 games. Roquan took his play up a notch in his senior year of 2017 when he was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press after leading Georgia in tackles (112) and sacks (5½) and playing Bulldog wins the SEC Championship Game for the first time in 12 years.
An economics specialist, he was supposed to earn a degree in December 2018 but decided to turn pro by entering the 2018 NFL Draft, losing his final year of eligibility, but not without setting the record for most decorated and decorated defenseman ever. modern history, endowed with elite athletic qualities.
He was named the SEC Championship Game Most Valuable Player. He also played with the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game in 2017. The linebacker also won the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebackers. He also became the first Georgia Bulldog to win this award since its inception in 1985.
Being stuff champions are made of, he was a first-round pick, eighth overall by the Chicago Bears in April 2018. An effective linebacker with elite athletic ability, plus intelligence and an ability to be a linebacker effective during resumptions, its potential is yet to be exploited .
Roquan Smith Family
Roquan, affectionately called Quan by his family, was born to his beloved parents, Roderick Smith and Shaquana Thomas, in the close-knit community of Montezuma, Macon County. His father was a laborer in Macon, an hour’s drive from his hometown, while his mother worked at Fort Valley State University in Oglethorpe, a nearby town of Montezuma.
He has three siblings; a big brother RodForgeron; and a younger sister and brother, Tyanna and Omar Richards. Due to his parents’ work that takes them away from home most of the day, many other parents joined him during his childhood to help him grow. Among his grandparents, Nathaniel Lamb and Betty Smith, his aunt Shaquanda Baker and a host of other well-meaning members of the community, including football coach Harold, Macon County manager Rickey Edmond and his friend from the Roy Yoder family for whom he dug wells and Glory Story. which refers to her aunt even though they are unrelated.
Moreover, his community sees him as a worthy ambassador and is very proud of him, in particular, for having pushed him to the national front and for supporting him in every way possible. For them, there is only one Roquan Smith.
Height, weight, body statistics
Roquan has been praised for his excellent speed and athleticism for the sideline-to-sideline linebacker position as well as his excellent leadership qualities, football IQ, and instincts that help him correctly diagnose ball orientation. As a teenager, people considered him bigger than his age. However, his physical qualities are not ideal for a linebacker. As a result, he struggles to get out of the blocks once the lineman reaches him.
His short arms and small hands account for his problems blocking and clearing big blockers and his inability to disengage seemingly big guys, limiting his performance. Nonetheless, he possesses the quickness and quickness to keep him from getting roughed up.
Anyway, here are his stats regarding his body:
Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85m)
Weight: 236 lbs .
Arm Length: 32″
Hand size: 10