Nolan Smith attends Von Miller’s Pass Rush Summit just days after OTAs
Nolan Smith is taking no days off in preparation for his rookie season in the NFL.
The Eagles held their final day of OTAs on Thursday, June 8th, giving players an extended summer break before training camp begins in late July. Most players use this time to relax, hang with friends and recharge their bodies — not Nolan Smith.
Just days after OTAs concluded, the No. 30 overall pick attended Von Miller’s seventh annual Pass Rush Summit held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here is @VonMiller talking to Nolan Smith about taking advantage of opportunities! pic.twitter.com/C16MtwmDhs
— NICO TRENCHES (@NICO_Trenches) June 12, 2023
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This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who knows Smith, as the rookie isn’t bashful about his admiration for Miller.
“I’d say Von Miller is someone I model my game after,” Smith said following the draft.
“I watch guys like my body type like Von Miller, Haason Reddick and the moves that they use and just the different things that they do, not only with their hands but how they bend the edge and use speed to power and how they set up their moves and play a game within the game.”
As an edge-rusher, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mentor than a two-time Super Bowl champion who’s compiled 123.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles across his 12-year career. In studying Miller, Smith hopes to extract even more from his freakishly athletic traits that helped Georgia to two consecutive national titles.
“Due to his stellar run defense, Smith projects as a potential three-down defender in year one. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as he develops in the pass-rush department. Smith has an explosive first step to threaten offensive tackles outside shoulders.
A fully-developed Smith can be a dangerous weapon to deploy off the edge versus opposing offenses. Smith’s ability to work well in tight quarters or in a wide-nine alignment can put offensive tackles in conflict. Having an edge defender that can drop into coverage, stuff the run, and get after the passer cannot be undervalued.” — via The Draft Network
Nolan Smith hit this bag with some SERIOUS pop 😳
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 13, 2023
Smith was reportedly “highly impressive” at Eagles’ OTA’s.
Smith recently attended Von Miller’s Pass Rush Summit, along with Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.
Smith also noted that Miller is one of the players that his game is… pic.twitter.com/2w1FZkNPFK
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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images
