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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Luke Easterling

Northern Iowa EDGE Elerson Smith declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Amid the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the college football landscape, another top FCS prospect is making the early jump to the pros.

Norther Iowa edge defender Elerson Smith is opting out of a potential spring season and will instead enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

It’s rare to see FCS prospects leaving school early, but Smith certainly has the talent to turn some heads among the NFL scouting community. Smith was dominant as a redshirt junior in 2019, racking up 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.

Instead of padding his college resume this spring, Smith will instead try to impress NFL decision-makers throughout the predraft process, which could solidify him as a Day 2 selection when next year’s draft rolls around.

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