http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/quanterus_smith/104258 Recent articles about Quanterus Smith en-us The Broncos select Quanterus Smith in the 5th round Overview The rosters of Sun Belt Conference teams have become required reading for NFL scouts, especially since Osi Umenyiora (picked in the second round of the 2003 draft by the Giants out of Troy) and DeMarcus Ware (first round, 2005, Dallas, Troy) started to consistently harass pro quarterbacks. Smith might not have quite the athleticism of those two Pro Bowlers, but his potential as a hand-down or stand-up pass rusher is intriguing. Quanterus (pronounced quan-TERR-us) played in every game during his career with the Hilltoppers, starting two as a redshirt freshman (12 tackles, one for loss) before lining up with the first team 10 times the following year (47 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks). Even though he only started six games of the 12 games in which he played in 2011, Sun Belt coaches still voted him second-team all-conference for his play, as his 11 tackles for loss (38 total) and 7.5 sacks gave opposing offenses headaches no matter when he steppe Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:08:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13500338 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13500338 Meet the Broncos 5th Round Pick Quanterus Smith http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13500338 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Broncos select Quanterus Smith in the 5th round Overview The rosters of Sun Belt Conference teams have become required reading for NFL scouts, especially since Osi Umenyiora (picked in the second round of the 2003 draft by the Giants out of Troy) and DeMarcus Ware (first round, 2005, Dallas, Troy) started to consistently harass pro quarterbacks. Smith might not have quite the athleticism of those two Pro Bowlers, but his potential as a hand-down or stand-up pass rusher is intriguing. Quanterus (pronounced quan-TERR-us) played in every game during his career with the Hilltoppers, starting two as a redshirt freshman (12 tackles, one for loss) before lining up with the first team 10 times the following year (47 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks). Even though he only started six games of the 12 games in which he played in 2011, Sun Belt coaches still voted him second-team all-conference for his play, as his 11 tackles for loss (38 total) and 7.5 sacks gave opposing offenses headach... Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:41:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13499957 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13499957 Meet the Broncos 5th Round Pick Quanterus Smith http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/meet_the_broncos_5th_round_pick_quanterus_smith/13499957 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With the 146th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Broncos select Western Kentucky DE Quanterus Smith. The part-time starter in 2011 managed to earn second-team All-Sun Belt honors (11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks) in 2011 while also displaying great upside to NFL scouts due to his length and explosion off the edge as a pass rusher. He lined up as a starter full-time in 2012, showing a much improved all around game. Unfortunately, the 2012 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year tore his ACL in November, ending his senior season after just ten games. Source: NFL.com Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:38:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/broncos_select_western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_rd5_no146/13499225 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/broncos_select_western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_rd5_no146/13499225 Broncos Select Western Kentucky DE Quanterus Smith (Rd.5, No.146) http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/broncos_select_western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_rd5_no146/13499225 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Day Two was supposed to be the day all the quarterbacks finally came off the board. After a single QB went on Day One (EJ Manuel), many expected the quarterbacks to come quickly off the board. But Day two of the draft saw just two quarterbacks (Geno Smith and Mike Glennon) leave the draft board. Along with our second, third, and fourth rated quarterbacks in the 2013 class, a handful of receivers and defensive lineman remain ripe for the picking on Day Three of the NFL Draft. 1. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse Nassib was projected to be considered for the #8 overall pick, but surprisingly passed over after the Bills traded down to 16 overall to take EJ Manuel. But 79 picks later, our second rated quarterback is still on the board. By now, it’s clear NFL teams don’t view him as highly as we do.   2. Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech Our number two rated receiver pre-draft thanks to his decisiveness and ability to catch away from his body, Patton likely fell on draft day thanks to his lack o Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:41:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_top_200_prospects_left_after_day_two_of_the_draft/13495195 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_top_200_prospects_left_after_day_two_of_the_draft/13495195 2013 NFL Draft: Top 200 Prospects Left After Day Two of the Draft http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_nfl_draft_top_200_prospects_left_after_day_two_of_the_draft/13495195 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png You know what was fun about round 1?  The Cardinals turned the draft on it’s head by taking a guard in the top ten, and breaking decades of tradition to bed. You know what wasn’t fun?  Watching Geno fall, but from everything I’ve seen and read he’ll make a note of this on his way to making teams pay for passing on him. That also means Geno remains on my 2013 Arizona Cardinals Big Board, this time taking the top spot. My rankings are specifically for the Cardinals Geno Smith, QB West Virginia Tank Carradine, DE Florida State Arthur Brown, LB Kansas State Jonathan Cyprien, S Florida International Jamar Taylor, CB Boise State Larry Warford, OG Kentucky Tyler Wilson, QB Arkansas Zac Dysert, QB Miami (Ohio) Kevin Minter, LB LSU Markus Wheaton, WR Oregon State Barrett Jones, OL Alabama Dallas Thomas, OG Tennessee Corey Lemonier, OLB Auburn Jesse Williams, DT Alabama Terron Armstead, OT Arkansas Pine-Bluff Travis Kelce, TE Cincinnati Damontre Moore, OLB Texas A&M Sio Moore, LB Connecticut DJ Swearing Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:26:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/2013_arizona_cardinals_big_board/13489882 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/2013_arizona_cardinals_big_board/13489882 2013 Arizona Cardinals Big Board http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/2013_arizona_cardinals_big_board/13489882 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Well, the day is finally here. Today is the beginning of the 2013 NFL Draft. As a NFL nut, this is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only today with the first round, but I also enjoy the next two days. The later rounds in the draft are much more faster paced, there are many trades, and it is fun to see where my sleeper picks end up. These are the last of my sleepers for the 2013 NFL Draft: Johnathan Franklin from UCLA, Quanterus Smith of Western Kentucky, and Rogers Gaines of Tennessee State. Johnathan Franklin, RB UCLA In today’s NFL, I am a big fan of not drafting the running back position early. While they are sometimes hard to predict, there are always backs taken in the middle to late rounds who turn out to produce for teams. I think that Franklin has a good chance to be one of those guys. He has good size for a back (5’10, 205 lbs.), has been a very productive runner at a high level in college, and has good speed (4.49 40 yard dash). Franklin has made many defenders ... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:00:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_sleepers_johnathan_franklin_quanterus_smith_and_rogers_gaines/13479676 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_sleepers_johnathan_franklin_quanterus_smith_and_rogers_gaines/13479676 2013 NFL Draft Sleepers: Johnathan Franklin, Quanterus Smith, and Rogers Gaines http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_nfl_draft_sleepers_johnathan_franklin_quanterus_smith_and_rogers_gaines/13479676 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/d/6dcdbfa77c3114c5fca4c1c86ad4cf955faa0662/mini/6760844.jpg Today is the ninth day of two weeks of Minnesota Vikings coverage leading up to the April 25 beginning of the NFL Draft. April 12: Five best draft moments in the past 25 years April 13: Five worst draft moments in the past 25 years April 14: Quarterbacks position preview April 15: Running backsfullbacks position previewApril 16: Offensive tackles position previewApril 17:Guardscenters position previewApril 18:Tight ends position preview April 19:Wide receivers position previewToday:Defensive linemen position preview April 21:Linebackers position preview April 22:Cornerbacks position preview April 23:Safeties position preview April 24:Rick Spielman's draft strategy April 25:Forecasting the first-round picks TODAY'S POSITION: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Importance (1-to-10 scale): 7 On the roster On the surface, Minnesota would seem to be set along the defensive line, but sweeping changes could be coming. The Vikings restructured the contract of longtime defensive tackle, Kevin Williams. His contract is fully Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:59:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442302 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442302 Suddenly, Vikings need defensive line depth http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442302 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Today is the ninth day of two weeks of Minnesota Vikings coverage leading up to the April 25 beginning of the NFL Draft. April 12: Five best draft moments in the past 25 years April 13: Five worst draft moments in the past 25 years April 14: Quarterbacks position preview April 15: Running backsfullbacks position previewApril 16: Offensive tackles position previewApril 17:Guardscenters position previewApril 18:Tight ends position preview April 19:Wide receivers position previewToday:Defensive linemen position preview April 21:Linebackers position preview April 22:Cornerbacks position preview April 23:Safeties position preview April 24:Rick Spielman's draft strategy April 25:Forecasting the first-round picks TODAY'S POSITION: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Importance (1-to-10 scale): 7 On the roster On the surface, Minnesota would seem to be set along the defensive line, but sweeping changes could be coming. The Vikings restructured the contract of longtime defensive tackle, Kevin Williams. His contract is fully Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:59:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442299 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442299 Suddenly, Vikings need defensive line depth http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/suddenly_vikings_need_defensive_line_depth/13442299 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png   One key to consistently putting together strong draft classes is balancing risk and reward. Teams that do that well will avoid taking unnecessary risks while still finding high ceiling players with the potential to develop into elite talents. Because of that, there are no more controversial players in this draft than this group of high risk, high reward players. If they land in the right situation, they could end up having outstanding NFL careers. If not, they could set a team back for years. Which players will teams give some extra thought to?   RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina In a class of running backs that's lacking a true elite player, Marcus Lattimore at one time appeared to be the best chance an NFL team had of finding a 1st round talent in this class. After a brutal knee injury Lattimore is now fighting to prove that he's worthy of being selected in the first three rounds of the draft at all. In the past, there have been widely varying philosophies of when Sat, 06 Apr 2013 09:35:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_evaluating_high_risk_high_reward_prospects/13330615 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_evaluating_high_risk_high_reward_prospects/13330615 2013 NFL Draft: Evaluating High Risk, High Reward Prospects http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_nfl_draft_evaluating_high_risk_high_reward_prospects/13330615 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Oh, the depth of this running back class. So many good ones, of all shapes and sizes. Florida International RB Darian Mallary checks in around 5’8, 180 pounds. And he uses every bit of it to be an explosive weapon on offense. Talking to Darian, you can sense that he has a boulder on his shoulder, nevermind a chip. He believes he is a great player, and hasn’t truly had the opportunity to show it. He will tell you that he makes things happen when he gets his chances. And if you do some digging, you can see that…he’s right! Consider these numbers from the 2012 season: YPC vs. UCF- 6.5 w/ 2 touchdowns; YPC vs. UL-Monroe- 8.0; YPC vs. DE Quanterus Smith & Western Kentucky- 6.1; YPC vs. Troy- 4.6; YPC vs. Florida Atlantic- 4.6. For the season, Darian averaged 4.45 YPC, with 9 touchdowns on 463 yards. He added another 102 yards as a receiver. After watching his film, and considering what he brings to the table..Darian is a true sleeper. A name to keep an eye on. It was my pleasure to i... Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:37:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/exclusive_interview_florida_international_rb_darian_mallary/13271530 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/exclusive_interview_florida_international_rb_darian_mallary/13271530 Exclusive Interview: Florida International RB Darian Mallary http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/exclusive_interview_florida_international_rb_darian_mallary/13271530 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This is a reader submission from an author who wishes to remain anonymous? Who will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft this April? Depends on what happens during the NFL free agency period. The creator of this mock likes to add: “I’d like to see them sign Ed Reed being that the Ravens will probably be forced to let him go because of (paying Joe) Flacco. Not only can he still play but he’d be able to help (Mark) Barron at safety a lot more then (Ronde) Barber. Ed Reed probably has another 3 years left in him at least. BUCS MOCK DRAFT: 1st round: JOHNTHAN BANKS (Mississippi St.) (Bucs need a shutdown CB.) 2nd round: PHILLIP THOMAS (Fresno St.) 3rd round: ZAC DYSERT (Miami Ohio) (Freeman needs competition. This is where Pittsburgh found Roethlisberger.) 4th round: BRANDON WILLIAMS (Missouri Southern) (Had 68 tackles 16.5 TFL 8.5 sacks 5 FF & 1 safety.) 4th round: ROBERT ALFORD (Southeastern Louisiana) (An underrated shutdown CB. Had 39 tackles 5 TFL 4 INTs & 12 PBU.) 5th round: QU... Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:25:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tampa_bay_buccaneers_draft_picks_7_round_mock/12890230 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tampa_bay_buccaneers_draft_picks_7_round_mock/12890230 Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft picks: 7 round mock http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tampa_bay_buccaneers_draft_picks_7_round_mock/12890230 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/0/002ad7c06e207cd8583de38ae342cb74b5308430/mini/Baltimore_Ravens_v_b418.jpg Quanterus Smith/Western Kentucky:   Skills/Attributes: Limited athlete who is productive because he has pretty good technique and doesn’t give up on the play. Uninspiring initial burst and also lacks top-end speed, but has some lateral quickness. Jumps around blocks in the run game at times. Counter move is his bread and butter as a rusher. [...] Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:06:56 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/elder_quanterus_smith_evaluation/12700849 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/elder_quanterus_smith_evaluation/12700849 Elder – Quanterus Smith Evaluation http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/elder_quanterus_smith_evaluation/12700849 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Unfortunately for the teams involved, the "Little Caesars" Bowl is of little importance to the casual fan as well as to the NFL Draft fan community and NFL teams. The expected top match-up (Quantarus Smith vs. Eric Fisher) was secured of it's non-happening back when Smith had a season ending injury earlier in the year. Still, as you are watching (because it's a Wednesday between Christmas and New Years), be sure to check out a potential Top 20 left tackle prospect and three later round prospects that are hoping to end their college career's on a high note. Notes by Eric Galko and Brandon Morgan of Optimum Scouting   Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan - #, 6'7, 295 One of the premier left tackle prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft, Fisher possesses the length, lateral balance in his kick slide, and body control/flexibility that backside protectors need to have to be worthy of first round status. He positions his body well and maintains good kick slide form to maxim Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:16:19 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_little_caesars_bowl_western_kentucky_vs_central_michigan_preview/12512236 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_nfl_draft_little_caesars_bowl_western_kentucky_vs_central_michigan_preview/12512236 2013 NFL Draft: Little Caesars Bowl – Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_nfl_draft_little_caesars_bowl_western_kentucky_vs_central_michigan_preview/12512236 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Western Kentucky defensive end and national sacks co-leader Quanterus Smith is done for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette. Smith is tied with Texas A&M’s Damontre Moore for the lead in sacks (12.5) and is first in sacks per game (1.25). He’s third in sack yardage (84). Smith’s 24 career sacks are tied for the Sun Belt Conference mark and he’s just half a sack off the league’s single-season record (13). He has drawn interest from NFL scouts who have attended Hilltoppers practices this season. Sophomore T.J. Smith and freshman Gavin Rocker will see time in Smith’s place for WKU (6-5, 3-4 Sun Belt) in Saturday’s regular season finale against North Texas (4-7, 3-4). Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:30:29 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_is_out_indefinitely_with_torn_acl/12262609 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_is_out_indefinitely_with_torn_acl/12262609 Western Kentucky DE Quanterus Smith is out indefinitely with torn ACL http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/western_kentucky_de_quanterus_smith_is_out_indefinitely_with_torn_acl/12262609 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Western Kentucky defensive end and national sacks co-leader Quanterus Smith is done for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette. Smith is tied with Texas A&M's Damontre Moore for the lead in sacks (12.5) and is first in sacks per game (1.25). He's third in sack yardage (84). Smith's 24 career sacks are tied for the Sun Belt Conference mark and he's just half a sack off the league's single-season record (13). He has drawn interest from NFL scouts who have attended Hilltoppers practices this season. Sophomore T.J. Smith and freshman Gavin Rocker will see time in Smith's place for WKU (6-5, 3-4 Sun Belt) in Saturday's regular season finale against North Texas (4-7, 3-4). Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:42:54 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/torn_acl_ends_season_for_de_quanterus_smith/12260287 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/torn_acl_ends_season_for_de_quanterus_smith/12260287 Torn ACL ends season for DE Quanterus Smith http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/torn_acl_ends_season_for_de_quanterus_smith/12260287 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png