On where he was when picked…
I'm back home in Ohio sitting in my bedroom right now. I was watching TV when I got the call.
Impressions on being drafted by the Jets…
I am very excited and it's a great honor to be drafted by a team and organization like the Jets where I will be able to come in and continue to play. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to compete.
On the other positions he has played…
I have played quarterback my whole life. In high school I played quarterback and linebacker.
On possible transition from Quarterback to Running Back…
I'm coming in as a team player and athlete, so wherever I need to go. Hopefully I get to play running back or quarterback as well as other positions. It's just being able to compete and get better at what ever I'm doing.
Are you willing to convert to Running Back in the pros…
The Jets have honored me with the selection by picking me and saying I can help the team out. They also said they would love to have me on the team to make plays and that's what I'm coming in to do. I'm a quarterback at heart and it's going to work out the way it's supposed to, and I'm a team player and I'm excited to make plays for the Jets.
On the open position with the Jets…
It's been left wide open as far as positions and it's a wait and see situation.
On working out with Coach Mike Westhoff…
Coach Westhoff came in and I threw with him for awhile and caught a few balls. Coach Gash came in and gave me some pitches. I was mostly throwing and there was a little catching and running.
On similarities with Antwaan Randle El…
I see myself as a playmaker. I was a playmaker at quarterback my whole college career and I think that once I have the ball in my hands I can make plays. It's hard to compare anyone to Antwaan because he's done amazing things but I'm just going to make plays.
Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel on Brad Smith
On Brad Smith being drafted…
Brad is a great young man and a remarkable athlete. We're very excited for him. He will be a great player in that league. He'll be fun to watch as he matures.
On Smith's versatility…
He's a phenomenal athlete with the ball in his hands and he's the only quarterback in the history of college football who has thrown for 8,000 yards and run for 4,000 yards There is no one in college football that has ever done that. I think that says a lot. He threw the ball really well with us and ran well. A lot of people looked at him for quarterback, but others think: 'Here's a great athlete and we should get him in our system and see if he can play somewhere else too.'
On what has contributed to Smith's success as a versatile player…
I just think he is so multiple athletically. There are not too many guys who can run with a football like him. There are a lot of guys who can throw, which he can, but his versatility to be able to run with the football is second-to-none. I've been a coach for 29 years, five years here at Missouri, and he is by far the greatest athlete I've ever seen. He's a remarkable athlete. He's also a much better person than he is a football player if that tells you what a great guy the Jets are getting.
On Smith's transition into the NFL…
I think he'll be fine. His work ethic is second-to-none. As a QB, you have to be such a student of the game and put in all that extra time at that spot- that's Brad. I think he'll have great teachers there, I know they have a very good coaching staff. He'll get in and work hard and the rest will take care of itself.
On what the Jets can expect out of Smith…
He's a very dedicated and committed player - he's a winner. The Jets have just drafted one of the great athletes in college football. He will help that team without a question.
