by Adam Burns
Sports Editor
Antowain Smith will go in the first round of the NFL draft Saturday and Sunday - there is little question about that.
"No doubt, Antowain is going in the first round," said his teammate and fellow NFL prospect Marcus Spriggs.
The 25-year-old Smith has been on a tear throughout his senior season and in NFL workouts.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 225-pound back runs the 40-meter dash in 4.44 seconds and was impressive in the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.
The Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year for 1996, Smith rushed for 1,239 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season despite not having a single carry against Cincinnati Oct. 19 because of an injured ankle.
Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said he really only saw Smith on tape, but that was enough to make up his mind about the back.
"I think Antowain Smith is going to be outstanding in the NFL," Minter said.
Smith has been in his native Alab-ama all week, but he has been invited to New York for the draft Saturday and Sunday.
The senior tailback's Cougar teammates quarterback Chuck Clements, cornerback Delmonico Montgomery and offensive lineman Spriggs are likely to go in the later rounds.
If all four are drafted, the 1997 draft could be the most successful for Cougars players since David Klingler headed up a list of five UH draft picks four years ago.
Clements threw for 2,417 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 132.6 pass-efficiency rating in the regular season last year, helping to lead the Cougars to a C-USA title and the Liberty Bowl.
Clements said he feels good about his performance at the NFL combine in February and with individual workouts with teams. He said he has gotten positive feedback.
"Every team I had a workout with said I increased my stock (in the draft)," he said.
But Clements said it is hard to predict where he, or anyone who is not a first-round pick, is going to go. Teams play mind games against each other because if teams know whom other teams want, the chances of that player being around are diminished, he added.
Learning three different offenses as a Cougar will help him when he has to learn yet another offensive system in the pros, Clements said.
After being drafted by former UH coach John Jenkins to lead a run-and-shoot offense, Clements wound up in Kim Helton's multiple-set, pro-style offense for most of his career and what Clements called a "West Coast-style offense" towards the end of his college career.
Montgomery had six interceptions as a cover corner in his senior year and thinks he ranks highly in a deep pool of defensive backs.
"I think that there is a lot of competition (in the draft) for cornerbacks," he said. "I'm ranked up there pretty high and I feel that I have a good shot of being selected in at least the third round, maybe even the second."
Like all draft prospects, Montgomery has no control over which team picks him, but he would still like to be one of the boys.
"I've always wanted to play for the Dallas Cowboys," Montgomery said. "You know, growing up in Texas and in or near Dallas, they've always been my favorite team.
"But really, I'll play for anybody," he said. "I guess my second choice would have to be the Philadelphia Eagles."
Cougars offensive linemen have enjoyed a lot of draft success in the past few years. Spriggs could become the third OL in a row to be drafted.
"Kim Helton is known for putting out an offensive lineman every year," Minter said.
Former Cougar Jimmy Herndon was picked in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. In 1994, Miami made UH-ex Billy Milner the 25th overall pick.
Spriggs started all 23 games as a junior and senior after transferring from Hinds Community College in Mississippi in 1995.
One of his best performances came against Memphis last year when he shut down noted pass rusher Marvin Thomas.
Spriggs listed the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Raiders and St. Louis Rams as teams he feels may draft him.
"Pass protection is my best asset," Spriggs said of his strengths, adding that he needs to improve his endurance to succeed on the next level.
Other Cougars who could possibly be drafted or get in as free agents include running back Jermaine Williams, receivers Charles West and Damion Johnson and nose tackle Gary Haynes.