MLS Combine 2013: New Mexico’s Blake Smith Dominates Speed, Agility, Power Tests

The 2013 MLS Combine is underway and one player stole the show during Saturday’s drills. New Mexico midfielder Blake Smith put together a great performance during the combine’s second day and set himself apart from the 71 other combine invitees.

Smith, who is projected to be one of the top midfielders selected in the MLS SuperDraft on January 17, was the only player in attendance to place in the top five of the speed, agility and power drills.

Here are the results from those three drills, via MLS Soccer:

SPEED: 30-meter sprint
1. Don Anding (Northeastern) 4.04 seconds
2. Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara) 4.09 seconds
3. Blake Smith (New Mexico) 4.11 seconds
4. Kekuta Manneh (Austin Aztex) 4.17 seconds
5. Nico Clavijo (unattached) 4.18 seconds

AGILITY: 5-10-5
1. Deshorn Brown (Central Florida) 3.96 secs
2. Don Anding (Northeastern) 4.08 seconds
3. Blake Smith (New Mexico) 4.10 seconds
4. Tommy Muller (Georgetown) 4.11 seconds
5. Ian Christianson (Georgetown) 4.14 seconds

POWER: Vertical Jump
1. Scott Goodwin (North Carolina) 32.5 inches
2. T.J. Nelson (Southern Methodist) 31.5 inches
3. Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara) 31 inches
Dylan Remick (Santa Clara) 31 inches
Blake Smith (New Mexico) 31 inches

Santa Clara forward Erik Hurtado and Northwestern’s Don Anding were the only other players to place in the top five in at least two of the drills.

While these combine numbers do not necessarily translate to success on the pitch, it was exactly what Smith needed to do in order to stand out from the rest of the group on Saturday. If he continues to put on a good performance in Ft. Lauderdale, he could watch his name soar up the draft boards.