After the University of Alabama looked miserable against the Utah Utes in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, I thought that Alabama’s poor performance might actually have a beneficial effect on Andre Smith’s draft stock.  Alabama’s offense could not move, which Smith’s advisors might have tried to blame on Smith’s absence from the game.  But those thoughts are long gone.  Andre Smith ended up signing with Alvin Keels of Global Management Group.  And Keels has had a lot to handle ever since signing the O-Lineman.  As you already know, Smith showed up to the Combine this past weekend, refused to participate, and then fled the scene.  Keels had to juggle ten-thousand media requests wondering what the hell was going on with Smith, while catering to his other clients at the Combine, which include two running-backs: James Davis (Clemson) and Brandon Ore (West Liberty).

As if Keels, Smith, and the rest of the GMG team did not have enough on their plates Re: Andre Smith.  Smith was reportedly suspended from Alabama from improper dealings with an agent, which continued to be a topic of conversation up to the Combine.  In fact, Smith has been fielding many questions from NFL teams concerning the suspension.  The Birmingham News reports that in an interview with an NFL team, Smith stated that the suspension was due to his uncle’s contact with an agent (not an NCAA violation) and his refusal to cooperate with Alabama’s Compliance Office in its investigation of the contact.  The agent that was supposedly talking to Andre Smith’s uncle is Melvin Bratton of DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment.

Brandon Thorn’s most recent Mock Draft has Smith going #2 overall to St. Louis.  I predict that his next update will have Smith falling at least a few picks.