GREEN BAY, Wisc. (SMU) – SMU saw two players get drafted on Saturday in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Elijah Roberts and
Brashard Smith were taken on the final day of the draft.
The two selections marked the third time in the last five years the Mustangs have had multiple players picked.
Roberts was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 21st pick in the fifth round (157th overall). The selection was the highest by a Mustang defensive lineman since 2013 when Margus Hunt was taken in the second round.
Roberts had a solid season in 2024, recording 35 tackles, 17 solo, and 11 TFLs. The graduate student also had 7.5 sacks, with two fumbles forced and one fumble recovery. Following the season, he was named as an All-ACC Honorable Mention and DCTF All-Texas First Team.
During his first year as a Mustang in 2023, Roberts started all 14 games, recorded 37 tackles and led the team in sacks with 10.0. He also was named to the All-AAC Second Team, the DCTF All-Texas Second Team and the Action Sports All-America First Team.
The Miami native was also a leader in the locker room, being named one of six Mustang captains prior to the season.
Smith was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 12th pick of the seventh round (228th overall), joining fellow former SMU standout Rashee Rice. He became the first Mustang running back drafted since Reggie Dupard was taken in the first round back in 1986.
In his lone season on the Hilltop, Smith racked up a total of 1,977 all-purpose yards, setting a new program record for the most yards in a single season.
On the ground, the Richmond Heights, Florida, native became just the 12th 1,000-yard rusher in program history. After eclipsing the milestone during the game against Boston College, the senior climbed to 1,332 rushing yards with 14 scores.
Thanks to his success during the season, Smith earned All-ACC First Team honors while also being named an All-American by four different outlets (AP, AFCA, Sporting News and Phil Steele) along with earning a spot on the DCTF All-Texas First Team.
