Q&A: Minneapolis native Elerson Smith on being drafted by Giants
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Minneapolis native and former Northern Iowa defensive end Elerson Smith talked with KSTP Sports about being chosen in the 4th round of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Smith***
A two-star recruit coming out of Minneapolis South high school, the Giants selected Smith with the 116th pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith did not play football in 2020 because the Missouri Valley Conference cancelled their fall season due to the COVID pandemic. As a redshirt junior in 2019, Smith led the conference in sacks (14), tackles for loss (21.5), and forced fumbles (5). He also finished his 2019 season with 15 quarterback hits, 49 hurries and 77 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
He went on to have a rock-solid week at the Senior Bowl in January, solidifying his stance among NFL front offices.
Minneapolis native Elerson Smith talks with KSTP's Darren Wolfson, via Zoom, soon after being chosen by the NY Giants.[Zoom/Darren Wolfson]
Smith joins former Eden Prairie and Gophers star Carter Coughlin as Twin Cities natives playing for the Giants. Coughlin was a Giants draft pick in 2020.