Former NFL defensive end thinks LSU’s Arden Key is SEC’s best pass rusher in 15 years
By Adam Spencer
Published:
LSU DE Arden Key appeared in 11 games for the Tigers last season and recorded 11 sacks. Only a sophomore, he became one of the conference’s best pass rushers and is set to have an even bigger 2017 campaign.
Key has caught the eye of former Tennessee DE Chuck Smith, who says the Tiger star is one of the best pass rushers he’s ever seen come through the SEC.
Smith, who recorded 56.5 sacks in nine professional seasons, told Gridiron Now that even former Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, isn’t as talented as Key:
“Myles Garrett is not on this guy’s level when it comes to pass rush,” Smith said. “This guy is the best pass rusher in the SEC over the last 15 years. No one is even close.
“If he’s not the No. 1 pick next year? Teams are going to miss out.”
Smith compared Key to some of the best pass rushers to come through the NFL in recent years, saying the rising junior is a mix of all their best qualities:
“He’s got bend like Von Miller and a spin like Dwight Freeney,” Smith said of Key. “He knows how to do all the pass rush moves, why to use the moves, how to use the moves and he has edge speed. He can head fake you like Osi Umenyiora. That’s what makes him special. I guess the last thing that makes him special is he has that dog in him. That real dog, and he is hungry to be the best.”
If Key has another great year in 2017, it’s likely he’ll test the waters in the 2018 NFL Draft. And, from what Smith sees in the LSU star, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes the second SEC pass rusher in a row to go No. 1 overall.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
