Smith is a long-time friend of Pete Carroll's

Smith is a long-time friend of Pete Carroll's. Carroll invited him for an official pre-draft interview a few weeks back. Even though he's only a sophomore at linebacker weak-side at USC, Smith is a fitness star.

Smith is a long-time friend of Mut 23 coins Pete Carroll's. Carroll invited him for an official pre-draft interview a few weeks back. Even though he's only a sophomore at linebacker weak-side at USC, Smith is a fitness star. He benched 225 lbs 28 times at the Trojans on March 30's Pro Day, and ran 4.47 at 6-foot-1. 225. Smith could be a teammate, and may be a nickel 'backer in Seattle.

Smith began his career as a special teams guy and a part-time player. Smith was able to play more in 2013. and experienced his biggest success to date. Smith enjoyed a coming-out party in the playoffs, catching Richard Sherman's tipped ball to clinch the NFC Championship Game and running back a pick-6 in the Super Bowl, winning the MVP award.

Smith is a uplifting example of a successful guy that didn't get invited to the Combine. Smith has admitted to MMQB that he's still angry over the lack of invitation and uses it as a constant motivational tool:

"It's not how you start but rather how you finish," he said. "Let be humbled by it, and let it bring you the fire you need to succeed.. As you know, I've got the draft of 2011 bookmarked within my PC. I'd estimate that every month, at the very least I'll open it to browse and check out all the names, beginning with 254. I still do it now. I'm just curious to know all those selected before me and what happened to them. Being a winner in an award in the Super Bowl validated my progress and confirmed that I could play."

The most noteworthy Combine disqualifications include Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith, who was one of 13 students who didn't make it to Indianapolis. South Carolina defensive end Chaz Sutton did not buy madden nfl 23 coins receive an invite, despite racking up as many sacks as fellow teammate JadeveonClowney.