Hawks take USC OLB Malcolm Smith with last pick
Apr 30, 2011, 5:08 PM | Updated: Apr 8, 2016, 10:53 am
By Liz Mathews
With the 41st pick of the seventh round (242nd overall) the Seattle Seahawks selected outside linebacker Malcolm Smith out of USC.
Prior to the Trojan 2010 spring practices, Smith had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle. He returned to log 78 tackles, one pick and two forced fumbles in 11 games played his senior season.
Smith’s brother Steve is a wide receiver for the New York Giants.
The only USC graduate to be drafted by the Seahawks, Smith felt that his familiarity to the coaching staff was a big factor in his selection.
“They have an understanding of the whole process,” said Smith via conference call to the media on Saturday. “I’m sure that Coach Carroll understood that more than anybody else could.”
When asked what he believed to be his best traits, Smith explained that he felt he has the ability to play fast and use the speed to his advantage.
A Will linebacker in college, Smith anticipates playing the same position for the Seahawks.
“That’s what they told me,” he said.
