2020 National Scouting Combine Prospect Eli Smith, OL from Kansas Wesleyan University

2020 National Scouting Combine Prospect Eli Smith, OL from Kansas Wesleyan University

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Eli Smith | Kansas Wesleyan University | OL

Twitter: @EliSmith55 | Instagram: @elismithusa55

Q: Tell us about your college career and what the recruiting process was like. Why did you choose Kansas Wesleyan University?

A: I chose KWU originally for basketball. I really developed a relationship with the basketball coaching staff while I was in high school, so it was my frontrunner by a landslide. I was recruited for football as well, however I was around 210 pounds leaving high school, so with my smaller size I chose basketball. After two years of college basketball and allowing for my body to develop a little further, I made the switch to football at KWU in the spring of 2016. There was a lot of time in the coaches’ offices, as I had never played 11 man football, nor offensive line. I was blessed to be surrounded by a lot of outstanding talent for such a small school, so we had a lot of success the four years I played, including back to back conference championships and playoff runs my junior and senior year.

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: After our 2018 season, I was selected AP First-Team All-American, so that was my biggest honor. Personally however, I view my development into the offensive lineman I am today as my biggest accomplishment. I never played offensive line until I made the switch to football at KWU in 2016.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at Kansas Wesleyan?

A: You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with good, hard working people.

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?

A: I will finish my Masters in Business Administration in March 2020. My undergrad degree is in Business Management, along with a standalone Accounting degree. If football were to not work out, my next steps would be developing my career in taxes and real estate investing.

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: They’d say that I am a humble man and I’ll do what is best for the team. Once you get to know me, I can be a funny guy.

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: I was playing defensive end my senior year of high school. It was homecoming week against our rivals. As I rush around the edge, their QB throws the ball, and it’s blocked at the line by our stud defensive tackle. It falls right into my hands, and I return it 50 yards for a touchdown. It was a special play that I’ll never forget.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to overcome is fighting that voice in your head that says, “You deserve a break.” That voice is complacent, and when I’m not careful, it can really impede progress on my dreams. I’ve found that the best way to manage it is through establishing routines. When a day is planned out and you keep track of the progress, it’s easy to maintain. When you leave windows of free time or fail to plan, it becomes a lot harder to make progress.

Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A: It is difficult to compare myself to a pro athlete in my opinion, because I understand how high of a level they play at on a consistent basis, and I have a lot of respect for that. However, if I had to, I would compare myself to Eric Fisher. I hope to have an opportunity for growth similar to his, where he was a player who did not come from a power 5 school, yet still developed into the great player he is today.

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A: I have a desire to be better than who I was yesterday. I consider myself to be a raw project for any pro team, but knowing that, I also believe I have a high upside, as well as the intangibles for a solid foundation to start my pro career on.

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back”/”pay it forward” in your community?

A: While time restrictions have limited my opportunity for it this year, last year I participated in VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, where I helped people in the community screen and fill out their tax returns for free. Additionally, I’ve given back to the community through service projects done by our football team as well.

Q: How are you preparing for the 2020 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?

A: I have been training at Sharp Performance in Salina, KS. My goals have been to catch up with the competition, essentially, and I feel like I am close to doing so. Considering that I started college at 210 pounds and wasn’t able to bench 225 until my second year, it’s been a long road, but I have and will continue to put myself in the best possible situations to close and surpass that gap.

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A: NFL practice squad my first year, then continue to grow and learn from the best.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: Spending time laughing and planning with my wife and watching her coaching dreams unfold. I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well.

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: My father. I’ve learned from him that when all else fails, keep working hard and don’t complain.

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A: I have a twin sister! The twin bond is something that’ll never be broken.

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National Scouting Combine Posts

“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
Jarrod Cann
Jarrod CannRB, Central Connecticut State
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
Chris Bury
Chris BuryTE, Notre Dame
“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
Dillon Salva
Dillon SalvaTE, Merrimack
My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
Matt Sewell
Matt SewellWR, Bryant University
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
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“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
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Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis. The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive. The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
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