Anthony Smith, EDGE, Minnesota: 2027 NFL Draft Prospect Profile & Scouting Report
Anthony Smith, EDGE, Minnesota
1. General Information
|
Name |
Anthony Smith |
|
Position |
Edge Rusher (EDGE) |
|
Number |
0 |
|
Class |
Redshirt Senior |
|
School |
Minnesota |
|
Height / Weight |
6’6″ / 285 lbs |
|
Hometown / HS |
Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg HS |
2. Career Statistical Breakdown
Defensive Performance & Pass Rush Production
|
**Season** |
**Team** |
**G** |
**Tackles** |
**TFL** |
**Sacks** |
**FF** |
|
2022 |
Minnesota |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2023 |
Minnesota |
13 |
15 |
2 |
1.0 |
2 |
|
2024 |
Minnesota |
13 |
27 |
11.5 |
6.0 |
1 |
|
2025 |
Minnesota |
13 |
38 |
17.5 |
12.5 |
0 |
|
**Total** |
41 |
81 |
31 |
19.5 |
3 |
3. NFL Combine Testing Projections
Projected metrics for the 2027 NFL Draft cycle based on athletic framework, physical mass, and verified short-area closing power.
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.72 – 4.84s
- Vertical Jump: 31.5″ – 33.5″
- Broad Jump: 9’8″ – 10’0″
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.38 – 4.50s
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.22 – 7.40s
4. Scouting & Transfer Notes
Background Profile
Smith arrived in Minneapolis as a highly physically gifted defensive line prospect out of Shippensburg High School in Pennsylvania. After spending his 2022 season in a developmental redshirt track, he broke into the active defensive front rotation during the 2023 season, appearing in all 13 contests. Smith flashed his top-tier disruptive capabilities as a sophomore in 2024, working his way into three starts and tying for the team lead with 6.0 sacks.
His true national introduction took place during a monster 2025 redshirt junior campaign. Operating as the physical focal point of Minnesota’s pass rush, Smith wreaked havoc across Big Ten backfields to register a spectacular 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. Opting to forgo early draft declaration options, he returns to the Gophers for his redshirt senior season in 2026, locked in as a premier heavy-edge foundational asset.
Key Strengths
- Rare Elite Outer Frame Geometry: Features an imposing, massive NFL-ready layout at 6’6″ and 285 pounds, carrying his weight effortlessly while maximizing his reach.
- Elite Pass Rushing Production Scale: Emerged as one of the most productive sack artists in college football during the 2025 season, logging double-digit sacks (12.5) against premium competition.
- Relentless Heavy-Handed Power Entry: Converts size seamlessly into downhill momentum, weaponizing a devastating speed-to-power bull rush capable of caving in pocket depth.
- Concrete Run-Game Anchor: Possesses the mass and base discipline of a standard defensive tackle combined with edge mobility, holding his ground perfectly against physical Big Ten double-teams.
Developmental Focus
Because Smith operates at a unique, heavy frame size of 285 pounds on the outside edge, pro evaluators will monitor his step-by-step lateral redirection agility. Scouts want to ensure he maintains elite bend and hip flexion when executing speed rushes or running down shiftier perimeter ball carriers on boundary constraint paths. Continuing to refine his hand-placement quickness and diversifying his counter-move catalog when his primary bull rush stalls will cement his projection as a potential first-round, multi-scheme defensive end.
Draft Countdown Film Notes
*pending*
All-Star Game Notes
*pending*
Combine/Pro Day Measurables
*pending*