Tykee Smith, SAF, Georgia
Size:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 202 pounds
Arm Length: 31 5/8"
Hand Size: 9 1/4"
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-SEC (2023) • Freshman All-America honors (2019)
"Tykee Smith is a nickel/safety hybrid defender who offers alignment flexibility and is valuable in run support.”
Strengths:
Coverage versatility
Run support
Improved ball production (4 INTs)
Instincts and competitiveness
Concerns:
Adequate athleticism
Winning at the catch point
Arm length
Film Analysis:
Tykee Smith is a reliable coverage option who can handle a variety of assignments. He is disruptive in coverage and plays through the hands of the receiver at the catch point. Good ball skills when tracking or jostling at the catch point. He had four interceptions this season.
A technically sound tackler that packs a punch when striking from a distance, Smith identifies screens and quickly slips stalk blocks to meet the ball to the target. Fluid hips to change directions in short space. His skill set, frame, and play style are the mold of today’s nickel/safety hybrid defenders. Smith reads and diagnoses plays well. He appears to be a student of the game and prepares well for his opponent.
Smith doesn’t possess the great top-end speed to consistently work as a center-fielding single-high safety at the next level. He is a solid athlete. He appears to lack good arm length, which prevents him from battling with bigger receivers and tight ends at the catch point. When playing from high, he’s best suited in split-safety alignments to play hash to sideline.
Smith projects as a starting-level nickel/safety hybrid defender. He works well as a low-hole SS with robber principles/responsibilities. His instincts combined with his football IQ and tackling ability make his impact valuable. There’s a path to impact the game in similar ways to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: South Carolina (2023), Florida (2023), Alabama (2023), Tennessee (2023)
