Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
Size:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 184 pounds
Arm Length: 30 1/4"
Hand Size: 9 1/8"
Accomplishments:
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2022)
“Chau Smith-Wade is a highly competitive cornerback with good route recognition skills and instincts.”
Strengths:
Coverage IQ and recognition
Toughness and competitiveness
Run support
Inside/outside flexibility
Coverage versatility
Concerns:
Small, thin frame
Grabby in man-to-man coverage
Winning at the catch point
Film Analysis:
Chau Smith-Wade is a two-year starter with plenty of coverage experience. Aligned predominantly outside, Smith-Wade squeezes and leverages routes well to the strength of the coverage. He mixes up press-man, off-man, and zone coverages to keep WRs off-balance. In the red zone, he is patient and remains square to cancel out multiple route access points. He uses chest-to-chest to limit separation on potential fade and out-breaking routes.
Smith-Wade displays quick feet to click/close distance between him and the intended target. He identifies route concepts well and passes them off properly in zone coverage. He is a tough competitor and a willing participant in run support. Smith-Wade triggers downhill and is not afraid to get dirty tackling in the open field—he has the self-awareness to attack the legs or (trunk) of the ball-carrier.
Smith-Wade has to lessen his grabbing in man-to-man coverage at the next level to avoid defensive penalties. He tends to grab to assist in staying close to his receiver on vertical routes. His footwork in press alignment can be sloppy, limiting his effectiveness to slow down the receiver’s route and staying in phase.
Smith-Wade does not have much ball production in his career. He has not shown the ability to take the ball away from the offense when targeting him or his zone responsibilities. A part of the issue is that Smith-Wade does not consistently turn and locate the football while in coverage despite having a good coverage position. He has a smallish, thin frame which presents an issue playing outside corners in the NFL. Bigger and stronger receivers have had success outmuscling him for position to attack the ball.
Smith-Wade projects as a nickel/slot defender in the NFL. His ability to fire off as a blitzing defender and sound tackling in run support fits this position. Smith-Wade plays with a toughness that NFL defensive coaches will appreciate.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Oregon (2023), Wisconsin (2023), UCLA (2023)
