UI wide receiver Smith declares for NFL draft

In a move that stunned his coaches and might raise eyebrows at the league office when his paperwork arrives, University of Idaho wide receiver Daniel Smith has decided to skip his senior season to become eligible for the National Football League draft.

“I have great hope for myself and I have expectations and goals and I feel like nothing is going to stop me,” Smith said Tuesday in a telephone interview from Houston.

Smith bypassed the normal route taken by underclassmen who submit their names to the NFL Central Scouting Service, which returns an evaluation on the player’s draft prospects. Washington State receiver Jason Hill went through the process and decided to stay at WSU after being informed he would have probably been a third- or fourth-round pick.

“I didn’t do that,” Smith said.

Smith said he’s been “hearing a lot of late third round, early fourth round.” Asked who was telling him that, Smith said, “A couple of people with connections to the NFL, scouts with teams they work with.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Smith was easily Idaho’s most productive receiver last season. He had 67 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing at least six quarters with a concussion. Junior Wendell Octave was next with 33 receptions.

Vandals head coach Nick Holt heard rumblings about Smith’s future last week before learning of Smith’s decision Monday.

“It kind of hit us out of the blue,” Holt said, “but he’s doing what he thinks is best for him and his family and we support him.”

Holt said Smith would have benefited greatly from another year of college football.

“He needs another year, but these kids get talking to people and they start believing them,” Holt said. “We wish he would have stayed.”

Smith is married to Solange Knowles, younger sister of singer Beyonce, and the couple has a 1-year-old son. Smith’s half-brother is Cuttino Mobley of the Los Angeles Clippers and he counts NFL-bound Texas quarterback Vince Young as one of his closest friends.

Smith said he’s talked with several agents and hopes to make a decision by Monday. He hopes to get invited to the NFL Combine and he’s planning on holding several individual workouts. He’s already hooked up with a conditioning coach.

“It’s a personal decision,” he said. “I want to help my family. I feel like it’s a good time and I had a good year. As a man, I’m ready to take the next step in my career.”

As of Tuesday, at least 38 underclassmen had declared for the draft, including receivers Charles Gordon (Kansas), Santonio Holmes (Ohio State), Chad Jackson (Florida), Greg Lee (Pittsburgh) and Drouzon Quillen (Louisiana-Monroe).

Idaho hadn’t planned on recruiting any receivers, but that will likely change. In addition to Octave and Matt Askew, who had 28 receptions last season, Idaho returns Lee Smith and Wes Williams, both of whom played as true freshmen last year, and Central Valley grad Ryan Heacock. Tracy Ford split time between receiver and running back.

Stanley Franks, who recently committed to Idaho, was projected as a cornerback, but he could play receiver if necessary. He caught 62 passes last season at Long Beach City College.