Keidron Smith of Kentucky, West Palm Beach and Oxbridge Academy brings 'chip' to Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Keidron Smith was a late addition to the Senior Bowl, after a strong performance at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl last week.

"I just want to go out here and showcase my talent," Smith said Tuesday. "No disrespect to the NFLPA Bowl, and I appreciate them inviting me. But my first option as an All-Star game is the Reece's Senior Bowl. So I'm coming in here with a chip on my shoulder, trying to let these scouts know that I can play with the best."

Smith was born in Boca Raton, raised in West Palm Beach and starred at Oxbridge Academy.

After four years at Ole Miss, the cornerback transferred to Kentucky for a fifth playing season in 2022.

"I don't regret my decision going to Ole Miss at all," Smith said. "But the transition to Kentucky is one of the major decisions and investments that I needed to make in order to get to this next level, this process of the NFL Draft."

Smith is 6-foot-2, 204 pounds. He recorded seven interceptions in a whopping 58 college games played.

"As far as strengths, I would say my football IQ, my versatility, my height and length," said Smith, whose first name is pronounced KEY-drun. "As far as things to work on, as a longer and taller corner, sometimes it's harder for me to get out of my transitions and my breaks. And just being consistent overall."

Top 10 Miami Dolphins offseason priorities | Schad

How do the Miami Dolphins stack up with NFL's Final Four?

Senior Bowl 2023: 10 Players for Miami Dolphins to scout

Scouting reports have projected Smith could be drafted anywhere between the third and sixth rounds. Practices on Tuesday through Thursday and the game on Saturday could provide a boost.

"A lot of guys I really respect as evaluators said if we're going to bring up a corner from the NFLPA game, he was the guy," Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said Tuesday. "He had a good week. He's a big, long corner that can finish on the ball. He's played a lot of off-man, and has good eyes in zone. I think down here you're going to see more press-man, which teams will want to see as a six-two guy. He's a physical guy who will come up and tackle."

Nagy noted that Smith could make a positive impact early in his career on special teams. And he added that how fast Smith times in pre-draft, 40-yard dashes will be a key.

"The biggest thing with Keidron in terms of the is going to be what he runs," Nagy said. "You know, that's just a critical thing for corners."

Keidron comes from a family of basketball players, and he believes he could have played Division I college basketball. His dad is retired law enforcement and his mom is a fiduciary accountant.

Keidron attended Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, which was a power between 2013 and 2017 under Doug Socha and Brendan Kent. The program was actually halted in 2018 due to lack of participation, though there is a chance the program could resume play as early as 2023.

"Coach Socha and coach Kent, it was basically like a college, getting us prepared for college," Smith recalled. "So when I got to college, I already knew what it took to be, you know, a football player and a student-athlete."

Growing up, Smith was a fan of the Eagles because he liked their uniforms, Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens and Brian Dawkins. But Smith has also been a fan of Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson of the Cardinals and Vikings.

Peterson happened to play sports with Keidron's brother at Blanche Ely in Pompano Beach.

The Dolphins currently hold picks in Rounds 2, 3, 6 and 7.

How would Smith feel about being drafted by the hometown team?

"My whole family would think that's fantastic," Smith said "It would be great for me just to be home, playing in front of my family again and just playing in the state of Florida."

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: The Dolphins need cornerback depth. Keidron Smith of Kentucky?