ESPN NFL Draft 2007

Ohio State QB Troy Smith knows his college football legacy is at stake when rival Michigan visits Columbus this Saturday. The Big Ten title. A BCS National Championship berth. The Heisman Trophy. What Smith may or may not realize is that his NFL draft stock is also on the line.

Smith's marginal size and checkered history off the field could cause him to slip a bit in next April's draft. However, few prospects in next year's class have improved their value as much as Smith has this fall. The 6-foot, 225-pound senior has refined his skills as a pocket passer and improved his overall decision making as a quarterback. Smith is still capable of beating defenses with his feet, but he has proved to be a much more patient passer this season. The result is a mind-boggling touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26-to-4 through 11 games.

Smith's maturity on and off the field over the course of the last two years has helped bridge the gap between he and the top senior quarterback prospects in the 2007 class -- Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) and Drew Stanton (Michigan State). Just like Vince Young's rapid ascent up NFL draft boards late last season, Smith has a chance to wow NFL personnel officials with strong showings in his final two collegiate games. Judging by his big-game performances in the past (9-1 as a starter vs. ranked teams), Smith's draft stock has yet to reach its peak.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider