Maason Smith drafted 48th Overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars

Maason Smith has become the fourth LSU Tigers selected in the 2024 NFL Draft as he goes 48th Overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Day One brought the selections of Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr while day two brings the selection of Maason Smith and hopefully Mekhi Wingo.

Smith joins former LSU Tigers teammate Brian Thomas Jr who was the team’s first round selection.

The Jaguars are getting one of the highest upside players in this draft class as Smith is just 21 and played his Junior season recovering from ACL Surgery. If Smith can regain his 2021 pre-surgery explosiveness then this has an opportunity to be the steal of the draft.

At LSU, Smith showed knockback power as a rushed that excited NFL scouts in terms of adding him to their defense. As a run defender, Smiths ability to diagnose the play and quickly shed his blocker will make him an effective defensive tackle at the NFL level.

Smith joins one of the most dominant front sevens as the Jaguars added Arik Armstead this offseason with edge rusher Josh Allen getting a massive contract extension.

Brian Kelly’s recruiting pitch is only getting stronger

After sending a ton of offensive talent to the NFL on Day One Brian Kelly is a showing defenders that he can do the same thing for defensive players. Often times a ton of talent in one room is a detriment to recruits however Brian Kelly will send three players at the defensive tackle position to the NFL draft in the same class. This should prove especially helpful as LSU tries to land too transfer defensive tackles.

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