The Football Girls’ Interview with NFL Draft Prospect TORREY SMITH

Wide Receiver Torrey Smith graduated from Maryland in December and is now in Miami training for the NFL Combine.  As of Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft 2.0, Smith is projected as a first round pick in April’s NFL Draft.  And while college football fans may remember him for his record-setting performance against NC State that kept the Wolfpack out of the ACC Championship game, Smith is hoping to create a new highlight reel in the NFL.  Here’s what Smith told the College Football Girl and the Football Girl (Melissa Jacobs) when we interviewed him this week.

How do you compare the transition from being in school to graduating, where now instead of going to class, your sole purpose is to work out and prepare for the combine?

Smith:  It’s definitely a little different. I mean, going to school and playing ball kind of goes hand in hand.  This is the first time I’ve been able to focus on one thing.  I’m glad I accomplished my goal of graduating and focused on that. And it makes football a lot easier not having to take classes or anything and I can just focus on football right now.

Take us through a typical Torrey Smith workout

Smith:  I’m training down in Miami with Bommerita along with a bunch of top players in the country. He has a great program.  At Bommerita we focus on strength and agility, nothing out of the norm such as yoga.

Your childhood hardships have been well-documented and I’m sure you’ve been asked every possible question about growing up and how it shaped you as the person you are today.   But how did it affect you on the field?

Smith:  I think it made me stronger mentally.  I think it helped me to be able to understand the emotions of the game without turning your back on everyone.  You know, I definitely think having struggled and understanding how to stick together as a family has definitely helped me out as a player.  That’s the experience you get playing on a football team – that family type atmosphere.

Virginia coach Al Groh was quoted in 2009 as saying if he knew how good you were in high school you would have been playing for them.  How much of a “proving everyone wrong” element is there to your game?

Smith:  I feel like it’s a lot more so now than in high school.  Everyone knew I could play ball in high school.  I just broke my leg and it was bad timing. That’s why I fell off. I was actually supposed to go to UVA via scholarship but I broke it two days before I left, otherwise I would have gone there.  But I feel like everything happens for a reason.  I ended up a Terrapin, I’m proud of it and ready to prove people wrong at this level, especially because I know people at this level have a lot of opinions based on your strengths and weaknesses, so I need to show everyone I can play with the best of them.

Let’s move on to the all-important scouting reports. Some of the positives from “draft experts:” Blazing speed, great vertical game, good vision.  And some of the negatives: too many body catches, needs to improve as blocker.  Forget these guys. We’re NFL GMs.  Tell us in 30 seconds why we should draft you.

Smith:  I feel like I can contribute in many different ways. I’m not limited to anything.  As good as I am now, I’ll get better. Will work on special teams.  As a leader in the locker room, I’ll come in and learn to play my role and help the team.  Do whatever I can to help the team contend for a Super Bowl.

On paper you’re better than Darrius Heyward-Bey in every category and he was drafted 7^th overall.   How does this help you in the eyes of the NFL scouts?

Smith:  I don’t think it helps me at all.  We’re two completely different people.  People want to compare me and Darrius, two great Maryland products, and I feel like telling everyone… I’m the little brother because people are always going to compare us and I always have to get the short end of the stick because he’s been there first…but I’m ready to do my own thing and hope to separate myself. And Darrius can do his own thing as well.

What do you like best about playing wide receiver?

Smith:  I’m not limited. Like I said, I can contribute on special teams. Obviously I’m fast, people saw me play all year saw me with a high ankle sprain.  It didn’t get better until I started the offseason and training for my NFL career and I felt 100% two weeks in.  I really feel like playing through injury shows toughness.  It kind of gives me confidence for accelerating cuts and generally being ready to go in the pros.

We’re now going to take you through our own combine.

Let’s start with a very quick hit Q and A.

Best player to ever come out of Maryland:  Vernon Davis

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Megan Fox, or Meagan Good:  (without hesitation) Rihanna

Coolest celeb or athlete you’ve met: Actually I went to Chad Ochocinco’s surprise party here in Miami so I was relaxin’ with him and T.O., which was cool

Favorite restaurant chain:  McDonald’s

Best follow on Twitter:  Ocho

First thing you’re buying for yourself after the draft:  Uh, nothing if there’s a lockout

Favorite NFL Team:  I don’t have one

Word Association– We’ll say one or two words or a name and you just say the first thing that pops into your mind

NFL Combine:  Opportunity

Cee Loo Green:  Crazy

Ralph Friedgen:  Mentor

Drew Rosenhaus:  (pauses) The best at what he does

Ryan Mallett: Strongest arm and biggest QB ever

AJ Green: Wide receiver in the draft

Mel Kiper Jr.: ESPN analyst

Fishing: My hobby

Torrey Smith: A great person

Find out what team picks Torrey Smith at the NFL Draft (April 28-30)