Tim Smith, Alabama: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Smith was a four-star recruit from Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Fla. in the class of 2020

Alabama’s Tim Smith is an alignment versatile defensive lineman who offers value plugging gaps and pinching run lanes. He lacks the dynamic athleticism and pass rush plan to be an every-down contributor and could go unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Tim Smith, IDL Alabama: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth-year defensive tackle from Gifford, Fla.

Background: Smith was a four-star recruit from Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Fla. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 56 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 42 for Rivals, and No. 45 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 160th in the nation with an 83 grade out of 100. Smith totaled 62 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, ten sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery as a high school senior.

Injuries & Off-Field: Early exit in 2021 Southern Miss game due to injury

Awards: N/A

Pros: Arm length meets thresholds, alignment versatility, comes off the line with a low pad level, powerful punches, powerful club, push-pull move, rip move, swim move, stab-rip, good grappler to bend and twist opponent off balance, good lower body strength, stout at POA vs. single blocks, wide base to anchor against single climbing linemen, good leg drive and base to halt climbing linemen, pries up the tackle’s pad level in the run game, good timing separating from blocks in the run game

Cons: Not a dynamic athlete, heavy feet slow movements, get-off is average at best, limited pass rush plan and counters, rarely posts instant wins as a rusher, doesn’t contribute consistent value as a pass rusher, pad level elevates during pass rush, lacks bend to flatten his rush angle to the quarterback, washed down the line by down blocks, struggles to anchor against double teams, blown off the line by duo blocks

Overview: Smith primarily aligned in 2024 as a 3-tech, 2-tech, and 1-tech with limited time spent at 4-tech and 5-tech. He only measured in with 33-inch arms at the NFL Combine, but they’re likely longer considering the personnel in charge of the measurements made several mistakes. Smith isn’t a dynamic athlete, but some of his alignment versatility should carry over to the NFL. He lacks an explosive first step but gets off the line with a low pad level. Smith attacks offensive linemen with powerful punches that generate some pop and immediate displacement. His pass rush plan includes a shocking club move, push-pulls, rips, stab-rips, and swims. He’s a good grappler who excels at uprooting or folding opponents in enclosed spaces. Smith lacks the overall athletic profile to post consistent wins in space, but he’s brutal to fight in a phone booth. He lacks a deep bag of pass rush moves and counters and only wins gradually throughout the play. He won’t generate consistent pressure or production as a pass rusher at the next level. The Florida native’s pad level rises throughout his rush, allowing offensive linemen to capture the leverage advantage. He lacks the bend in his hips to corner and flatten rush angles to the quarterback. Smith is a stout defender at the point of attack with impressive lower body strength. His wide base and anchor hold up well against single blockers attempting to generate vertical displacement, but he’s not big enough to put up a consistent fight against double teams. Smith uses his hands to pry up the offensive lineman’s pad level and drives his legs to negate their vertical push. Despite lacking elite length, he separates from blocks with good timing to close runs lanes or pursue the ball. His powerful hands play a significant role in helping him disengage from linemen. Smith’s heavy feet and nonexistent twitch make it difficult for him to avoid or out-leverage down blocks. He often finds himself swept away with no clear counter.

Overall, Smith is a stout run defender who anchors well at the point of attack and provides a consistent challenge for single blockers, but he lacks the athletic traits to provide consistent impact as a pass rusher. He’s a rotational player who could go late on Day 3, but this year’s deep defensive line class features more dynamic options with higher ceilings who warrant that investment over Smith.

Role & Scheme Fit: 3-tech on run downs with some base end snaps

Round Projection: Late Day 3 to UDFA

Size: 6'4 3/8", 302 lbs. (NFL Combine)

Submitted: 10-25-24

Updated: 04-12-25