Michigan's new defensive line coach Mike Elston has a goal for Mazi Smith this season, spelled out in one word in their first meeting: "Sacks." More of them will help Smith eventually reach his goal for himself.
"He said I got a good blend of traits, explosive, fast, twitchy, I should be able to make more plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage," Smith said Tuesday on the Stoney & Jansen Show. "That was really our first conversation because we talked about, how can I become a first-round draft pick?"
Michigan has produced a first-round defensive lineman in four of the last six NFL Drafts. Smith wants to make it five out of seven -- and three in a row after Aidan Hutchinson went second overall to the Lions this year and Kwity Paye went No. 21 to the Colts the year prior. Smith has all the physical tools to warrant consideration. He'll have every opportunity to shine in Michigan's defense this season. Now he just has to produce.
When Elston challenged Smith to create more sacks -- he had zero last season despite starting all 14 games on the interior of Michigan's defensive line -- Smith told him, "I gotta do a better job of getting off blocks." He is soft-spoken but thoughtful, and he put his words into action when he produced a half sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in the Wolverines' season-opening blowout of Colorado State.
"I know I can pressure the pocket, I know I can stuff a double team, but can I get off and make the play? Can I make the play for a loss? Things like that," said Smith. "They’re asking me to have an expanded role, so there’s certain types of plays I need to make. Last year I was just a guy, my first year starting, I was just trying to do my job the best I can. That’s still the goal, but my job is a little different now."
Smith's job is to be the most disruptive force in Michigan's defensive front. In that way, he's already following in the footsteps of Hutchinson and Paye. In this way, too: Smith was named the No. 1 physical freak in college football this year by The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, who ranked Hutchinson No. 2 in 2021 and Paye No. 1 in 2020.
"It’s cool, it’s cool, it feels good, but it's just another target on your back," said Smith. "I didn’t read the article, I let my momma do that. She told me it was all good things."
When he watches his soon-to-be-peers in the NFL, Smith focuses on two defensive tackles -- and two former first-round picks -- in particular: Jeffery Simmons of the Titans and Daron Payne of the Commanders. They are pillars of power who wreak havoc in the trenches, Payne checking in at 6'3, 320 lbs, Simmons at 6'4, 305. Smith outweighs both of them at 6'3, 337.
"When I look at their games," he said, "that’s how I want to play. Bully ball."
That is, Smith wants to win with strength. He'd rather outmuscle the man in front of him than outmaneuver him -- because that's what often wins in the NFL. That and technique. For all his athleticism, Smith said that "when you take a real look at interior rushers at the next level, it ain’t much moves, it ain’t no spin."
"A lot of the time you’re just taking your two hands, putting them on the offensive lineman and putting him in the lap of the quarterback," he said. "Inside moves, a lot of it just effort and you see those guys spend a lot of time in the weight room taking care of that business off the field so they got the ability to do it on the field. It’s the same reason Aaron Donald is so dominant. Hand placement, leverage, keeping your feet moving, all the fundamental parts of the game, they just do it great."
Soon, Smith will join them. For now, he's focused on what will likely be his final season at Michigan and trying to help the Wolverines over the final hump after last year's loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff. The 34-11 drubbing still gnaws at Smith, who often re-watched it in the offseason.
"We’re built to be playing teams like that," he said. "Those are the teams that are our competition. Not saying that the teams in the Big Ten aren’t great. I think both the Big Ten and the SEC have great teams with great competition from top to bottom. But a lot of people say it’s a drop-off (in the Big Ten) in the players and the athletes and the way people play, but I think we can compete."
They at least have a chance with players like Smith, a man who's ready to make himself heard this season -- before his name is heard at the draft.
"I mean, they call me the No. 1 freak," he said. "So if I ain’t doing it, it’s a problem."
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