Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Jaylin Smith, CB
School: USC | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 5’10.5” / 187 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th-7th Round
Player Comparison: Josh Newton
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2021 | USC | Pac-12 | FR | S | 10 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2022* | USC | Pac-12 | SO | DB | 11 | 26 | 11 | 37 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023* | USC | Pac-12 | JR | S | 12 | 58 | 17 | 75 | 6 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2024* | USC | Big Ten | SR | CB | 10 | 40 | 19 | 59 | 4 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career | 43 | 134 | 48 | 182 | 13 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||
Player Overview
As a child, Jaylin Smith was featured in Netflix’s Coach Snoop, a show about Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Youth Football League. From there, Smith would become a standout cornerback, wide receiver, and running back in high school in California. This lead to a four-star recruit ranking and offers from several schools like Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, and Texas. Smith decided to stay home and play for USC.
Throughout his career at USC, Smith played for several defensive coordinators who moved him all-around the secondary. As a freshman in 2021, he played in 10 games at safety and on special teams. He forced two turnovers this season, but also missed two games due to concussions. The next season would bring a new defensive staff to the Trojans. Smith would move from safety to slot and improve his production with more playing time. Under the same defensive staff in 2023, Smith had career highs in tackles and tackles for loss while playing in the slot. He would be named MVP of their bowl game at the end of the season. A new defensive staff in 2024 decided to give Smith a chance to play outside corner. Smith was still a highly productive tackler while providing good coverage for the Trojans.
Strengths
- Disrupts route-timing in press man coverage
- Has speed to stay in phase with receivers downfield
- Competitive at the catchpoint
- Aggressive run stopper, rarely missing tackles
- Can play multiple positions in the secondary
Weaknesses
- Less than ideal size
- Transitions throughout routes can be clunky
- Lacks ability to close quickly in off coverage
- Only three INTs and five PBUs through 43 games
Let’s See His Work
Love the physicality #USC‘s Jaylin Smith plays with on the outside, now at cornerback.
Smith completely blows up this third-down screen attempt: pic.twitter.com/zFzh5lczjX
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) September 26, 2024
The Commanders will host USC DB Jaylin Smith for a 30 visit, per source.
Standout at the Senior Bowl with experience all over the secondary has been a player Washington has been tied to throughout the process.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 9, 2025
Jaylin Smith is a CB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 6.46 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 878 out of 2480 CB from 1987 to 2025.
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/e1oyAyrWnI pic.twitter.com/NP4fArKpde
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025
How does he fit on the team
In last year’s NFL Draft, the Commanders selected Mike Sainristil in the second round. His aggressive, intelligent play-style allowed him to play multiple positions or the Commanders at a high level despite being an undersized defensive back. Looking at Jaylin Smith, there are some similarities to their game. Although he is undersized, Smith has no fear coming up and striking a ball carrier or sticking with a receiver downfield in coverage. He had a good season playing outside corner and, given this was his first year there, he could improve. However, his size might limit him to being primarily a slot defender. Smith would serve as a backup for the Commanders that can provide value on special teams. With time, he could become a rotational part of the secondary that fits wherever the team needs him.