Everything that Dallas Cowboys draft pick Mazi Smith said after he was drafted

Everything first-round draft pick Mazi Smith said on Thursday after he was selected in the NFL draft. Quotes courtesy of the Cowboys media relations staff.

On what the communication was like with the Cowboys throughout the process

“They kind of kept it simple. They had the Combine visit when I went out there for the Combine and we kind of kicked it and chopped it up for a little bit. Then I didn’t really talk to them much, but then they flew me out for a (top) 30 visit. I came and spent a lot of time with their personnel in there, and all the coaches and got to know everybody. I left there feeling pretty good, but I didn’t know what they were thinking. But apparently they liked me so it’s all good.”

On if he had any communication in the last week with the Cowboys

“No, not really. Not really like that much. I didn’t have much communication with anybody really, aside from calling and making sure I had certain draft day numbers.”

On what he brings to the defense

“A dog. A big dog, you know what I’m saying. A big fella; a big physical guy. I’ve never been afraid of contact. I’ve never been afraid to ball. A guy that’s going to get in somebody’s face. A guy that isn’t going to make it easy.”

On if he had any contact with Micah Parsons over the last couple of weeks

“No, I haven’t talked to Micah. He’s a dog. I’m excited that I have somebody like that happy to have me on the way there. I’m happy to be there; happy to help him. Hopefully, he’ll help me too. I know he will.”

On what makes him so strong against the run

“Man, I’m like 325 pounds. I’ve got real power in my hands. I’ve been strong my whole life. I came out the womb looking like I did pushups. You know I was doing pushups in there, so I’ve just been strong my whole life. I’ve figured out how to use it on the field, figured out the right techniques, figured out the right stance to get into and just started striking blocks and making sure they went backwards.”

On what the Cowboys said when they called him and what role they wanted him to play

“The first person I talked to was Mr. Jones and he told me congratulations on a great career; come help us. They told me that first and foremost, my job is to come in there and be that elite run defender that they need in the middle of the defense. But then after that, my second job is to show everybody that I can work that edge and that I can affect the quarterback. That’s something I need to work on, that’s something I have to hone in on, but I can’t lose sight of that first goal. The first goal is to make sure I stop that run and make sure that I’m stout in the middle.”

On his pass rushing numbers are Michigan being a result of Michigan asking him to clog the run

“The pass rush numbers, you kind of just have to turn on the tape. The tape tells a different story. You just have to know ball. There are times where I’m in position to pass rush, in position working pass rush moves and affecting the pocket, but there are times where I am focused on the run because I know that’s what we had to do. That’s what we had to stop if we were going to win the game. In the Big Ten they’re going to run the ball. We knew that. I knew that every game, that was my main focus.”

On if the gun charge is resolved

“Yes. It’s all good.”

On having a gun license now

“I’ll have it shortly. I’ll have it in the next week or so.”

On who he compares his game to

“There’s nobody I really compare my game to. Only guys that I look to for pointers for how I want to play. I look at Jeffery Simmons, and I look at Daron Payne. Those are two guys I look at and see big, physical guys playing the game how it’s supposed to be played. I just try to pick up little tips and tricks watching their tape.”

On what he loves about football

“I love the physicality. Football has been taking care of me my whole life. I’ve been playing since I was seven. I missed a year and I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t put that helmet on and hit somebody. That’s just my nature, that’s just in my blood. That’s just something that I feel like I was designed to do, and I’m forever thankful to God that I got this opportunity.”

On his grandparents influence on him

“I grew up with my mom. My grandpa was like my dad because I didn’t grow up with my dad. My grandma was like my second mother. I just wish they were here right now. My grandma, her favorite team was the Cowboys she loved her some…

*What was the quarterback grandma loved?* (asks family member)

*media member responds*

“Staubach.”

My nana loved the Cowboys. I just wish she was here so she could see, but she’s watching.”

This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 9:22 AM.