OVERVIEW

Jeff Smoker
Position:  Quarterback
College:  Michigan State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 223
Hometown:  Manheim, Pa.

Remarkable reclamation project who emerged as one of the nation's elite passers in 2003 under the guidance of quarterback guru, head coach John L. Smith … To say that Smoker was "reborn" with the installation of the new spread offense would be an understatement … He not only re-established himself on the football field, but also away from the game … Smoker was suspended for the last five games of the 2002 season after admitting to a substance abuse problem. He participated in spring drills but was not allowed to compete for the starting job, but the coaching staff saw a player rededicated to the game and gave him one last opportunity to prove that, when he was named the starter prior to the 2003 season opener … He plays his best when the game is on the line and has a knack for making things happen because he remains cool under pressure … He became the first quarterback in MSU history to reach the 3,000-yard passing milestone in a season in 2003 … "Jeff Smoker provided the one building block in the spread offense," coach Smith said. "Jeff gave us an opportunity to win on Saturdays. I'm amazed at what he accomplished as a first-year quarterback in this offensive system. Jeff had an extremely accurate arm and the knack for staying out of trouble. He made throws that gave our receiver an opportunity to catch it or no one else." … In 40 games, he completed 685 of 1,150 passes (60.0 percent) for 8,932 yards, 61 touchdowns and 39 interceptions, breaking the previous school career records of 467 passes completions by Jim Miller (1990-93), 789 pass attempts by Ed Smith (1976-78), 5,809 yards by Dave Yarema (1982-86) and 46 touchdowns by Bill Burke (1996-99) … Also set the MSU all-time record with 8,714 yards in total offense, surpassing the previous mark of 5,556 yards by Ed Smith. 

ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a slender frame, but shows good body structure with the potential to add additional bulk … Has defined legs and calves, broad shoulders and good upper-body strength … Made good improvements in 2003 in his pass setup, displaying a better ability to set his feet and step into his throws … Also refined his throwing motion (from three-quarters to overhead), which decreased the windup that he showed in his delivery in the past … Shows very good velocity on his short and intermediate tosses … Improved his play-calling ability and appears much better poised when pressured … Adequate moving in and out of the pocket, showing a good feel and anticipation for the receiver's breaks … Decent scrambler who can throw on the run.

AGILITY TESTS
4.95 in the 40-yard dash … Bench presses 225 pounds eight times … 480-pound dead lift … 29-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-3 broad jump … 4.38 20-yard shuttle … 29½-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Manheim (Pa.) Central High, playing football for coach Mike Williams … Consensus All-America, who was ranked among the nation's top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 23) and ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Lemming … Rated among the country's top 10 quarterbacks by PrepStar (No. 3), SuperPrep (No. 3) and Lemming (No. 6) … Ranked as the Eastern Region's No. 1 quarterback and the No. 4 player overall by PrepStar … Named to PrepStar's All-Eastern and SuperPrep's All-Northeastern teams … First-team all-state quarterback, who completed 150 of 235 passes (63.8 percent) for 2,458 yards, 26 touchdowns and only seven interceptions as a senior … Rushed for nearly 600 yards and 10 scores in 1999 … Connected on 110 of 173 throws (63.6 percent) for 1,993 yards, 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions as a junior … Compiled a 30-4 record (.882) as a three-year starter.

PERSONAL
Psychology major … Son of Jay and Sue Smoker … Born June 13, 1981 … Resides in Manheim, Pa.

Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange