Division III human highlight reel Kezlow Smith could be a diamond in the rough for Jerry Reese and the New York Giants.
The New York Giants are on the prowl for a draft sleeper. Big Blue has taken an interest in small school wide receiver prospect Kezlow Smith.
Smith’s agent Anthony Gilbert confirmed Smith worked out at the Mar. 15 Wisconsin Pro Day where Giants’ scouts among other teams were in attendance. Afterward, Gilbert said that New York seemed to show interest in Smith and also noted he had a good conversation with Giants’ team scout Ryan Jones. During his workout at the Pro Day, Smith ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and in addition to the Giants, also drew interest from the Miami Dolphins.
“I believe I have NFL speed and intelligence, with my talent, effort, work ethic, and dedication to the game,” said Smith on why an NFL team should take a chance on him. “Even off the field as a person I feel that my personality, demeanor, and motivation would have a good impact on team culture.”
At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Smith tore up Division III football for the Lakeland University Muskies. As a senior, he started all 11 games and totaled 39 catches for 916 yards and ten touchdowns along with 16 carries for 68 rushing yards and two TDs. The year prior during his junior campaign, Smith also started all 11 games, finishing with 73 receptions for 939 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also rushing 26 times for 131 yards and two scores. He leaves Lakeland as the school’s all-time career receiving yardage leader.
“I get myself open very often, once I have a step on a defender it’s pretty much set in stone. I cover a lot of ground while the ball is in the air for the deeper routes,” said Smith. “[Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver] Stefon Diggs is a big role model of mine. He’s very electrifying with the ball in his hands, being a smaller skilled guy he plays with grit on and off the ball, but most all he’s not a camera entertainer. Yes of course after big plays he talks here and there, but as I see it that’s only to excite his teammates and himself.”
Smith would potentially compete with Roger Lewis Jr. and Tavarres King for the final spots on the Giants’ wide receiver depth chart. He would work to help stretch the field for New York’s veteran receiving stars Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall. Smith said of the duo, “I would love the opportunity to learn from their veteran leadership.”
Though there are no guarantees his top tier playmaking ability will translate from Division III to the NFL level, Smith is at least worth taking a look at it in the Draft’s later rounds. Should he fall out of the Draft, Smith looks to be a candidate for the team to sign as an undrafted free agent.