Mazi Smith’s biggest driving factor: “It’s all about making that man across from me remember me.”

Per Mazi Smith’s scouting profile via CBS Sports, “Mazi Smith is one of the most athletic NTs to enter the NFL in a while. Not compact, but tall and wide. His flashes of pass-rush ability are outstanding; push-pull, arm over, straight bull rush all very solid… He’s not a tremendous block-shedder right now. However, he tracks down RBs very well for being a large NT…”

IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING A DOG

During his interview, Smith explained that he is driven to impact the game in favor of his team. He recorded only half of a sack during his college career at Michigan. That number may be a reflection of his commitment to stopping the run, however.

In 30 total games played at Michigan, Smith recorded 88 tackles, 39 of them solo.

When asked what drives him to perform, Smith responded, “Every team I’ve been on, I’ve been one of the players that was gonna help win a game. That’s gotta continue. The driving factor my whole life, I always wanted to be a dog. When I [get] on the field, it’s all about being a dog. It’s all about making that man across from me remember me. That’s my driving motivation.”

Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones explained the selection of Mazi Smith as a needs-based decision.

“Mazi obviously brings an element to our run game, stopping the run, that other than Hankins, we don’t have.”

He continued, “We felt like [it] was a great fit for us and really did something that makes us a better defense at the end of the day.”

Stephen Jones isn’t the only member of the Cowboys organization that recognized a need for a player like Smith.

Micah Parsons reached out to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on Thursday afternoon. He let Quinn know that Mazi was his choice for the Cowboys’ first round draft pick.

In the video below, Parsons literally jumps for joy when he learns that his wish was granted.