Houston quarterback Donovan Smith’s NFL Draft stock on rise headed into 2024

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith’s college football journey could very well end with his name being called in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Smith was included on a list of Bleacher Report’s 2025 NFL quarterback prospects after his first season as a full-time starter in 2023. While Houston struggled to a 4-8 record that led to head coach Dana Holgorsen’s firing, Smith showed signs of star potential and now has a new head coach in Willie Fritz.

From Bleacher Report: “Donovan Smith is the kind of quarterback prospect everyone wants to be good. The tools are a siren song.
The Houston signal-caller stands out on size alone, sporting a 6'5", 241-pound frame. His frame is both sturdy and lean. His athletic frame lends itself to shockingly smooth movement ability for a player his size. Despite being a hulking mass of a man, he moves pretty effortlessly in and around the pocket. He's got a good bit of flexibility when it comes to delivering from awkward platforms as well. The arm talent is there for Smith as well. He doesn't have quite the cannon quarterbacks of similar stature have, but there's not a throw on the field he can't make.”

Smith spent the first three seasons of his college career at Texas Tech. He threw for 2,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while rushing for 428 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 games in 2023.

Houston opens the season on Aug. 31 at home against UNLV.