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Who will be Louisville football’s next NFL Draft selections?

By Jacob Lane

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals carries the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals carries the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange fumbles but retains possession after being hit by TreSean Smith #4 of the Louisville Cardinals during a run in the third quarter at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange fumbles but retains possession after being hit by TreSean Smith #4 of the Louisville Cardinals during a run in the third quarter at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

TreSean Smith – S

Junior

It seems hard to believe that TreSean Smith is already heading into his junior year, but here we are. Heading into the 2018-19 season, Smith looked to be heading for a breakout season after putting together a strong campaign as a freshman, even knowing he was coming back from major knee surgery.

Previewing the defense last season we here at Big Red Louie thought he could be a preseason candidate for the 2018 Defensive MVP.

Due to that knee injury suffered in the bowl game against Mississippi in 2018, Smith didn’t look like himself until late in the season which at that point really meant nothing as Louisville was getting beat down by 40+ weekly without much fight left in them.

Now under the tutelage of Bryan Brown and safeties coach ShaDon Brown, don’t be shocked to see Smith look like the borderline star we saw as a freshman.

Smith is a playmaker with big-time hitting ability. What stands out the most is his ability to see the ball in the air and go and get it. We saw it early in his career in the game against Purdue where he made an interception in the endzone.

While there’s a lot of potential, he’ll certainly have to show a full year of production, something he hasn’t done yet, only notching 70 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions in two seasons of play. As of now, my money would bet on Smith making up one half of the starting secondary, with either Russ Yeast, Trenell Troutman, or Khane Pass rotating alongside him.

Between his size, athleticism, tackling/hitting, and playmaking ability, Smith is a guy who could develop into a quality NFL safety.

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