When I look at Ohio State signal caller Troy Smith, the first word that comes to mind is leader. He has a presence about him in the huddle, the pocket, and just about anywhere on the field. But another refreshing observation about Smith is his maturity… he gets it.  Smith understands his role as a leader and what he has to do for his team, whether it’s on the field or behind a microphone speaking to the media.

This brings to mind another quarterback, who is already in midst of a stellar NFL career. Donovan McNabb is a quarterback that Smith idolized. I think it’s safe to say that Smith has studied the way McNabb has handled himself, on and off the field, and has taken a page from his book.

I’m not saying that Smith will become a player close to the stature of McNabb, but potentially, Smith has all the intangibles to become a dynamic player at the next level.

Many scouts and player personnel types will evaluate Smith on film and critique his play:  whether his throwing motion needs to improve; or if he needs to stay in the pocket longer and locate his receiver; or if genetically, he doesn’t have the size to succeed at the next level.

I say that’s a load of Buckeyes…

Are we really talking about height? Height is important to a quarterback, especially if you have five gigantic heavyweights protecting you upfront, but it isn’t all that important if you are mobile enough to escape the pocket and become a playmaker on the run.

Smith is listed at 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, but we all know that is probably embellished. Even if Smith’s real height is 6-foot, he’s still an outstanding player for the number-one team in the country.

Smith won the Heisman Trophy. He led the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a National Championship victory over the Florida Gators. Smith also managed to post 2,507 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and only five interceptions in a very tough Big-10 Conference this season.

Those numbers alone should have NFL executives drooling at the thought of adding Smith to their franchise. But the misconception of a quarterback will always come down to a player’s size.

In the NFL at the moment, there are plenty of starting quarterbacks listed at or under 6-foot-1. The assumption is that you need to be the “prototypical” quarterback, which in the minds of many, is a strapping 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback with a rifle arm. Although a player of that stature and ability is intriguing, he doesn’t always exist.

To be a successful quarterback in the NFL you need three main qualities: intelligence, instincts, and the will to win. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. Look at a player like Drew Brees. He’s not the biggest player or the fastest, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he knows how to win and lead a team. The same can be said about McNabb.

McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to four-straight NFC Championship Games, as well as a Super Bowl appearance. When his days at Syracuse were over, many speculated that he was just an athlete playing quarterback, and McNabb despised those accusations. Scouts knew the talent was there, but questioned if his true potential would ever be realized.

The same can be said for Smith. Questions about his height and ability to succeed at the next level will haunt his draft day status, but it will be his leadership and intelligence that make him an exceptional pro.