Baltimore fans will be happy with the Ravens’ 58th-overall draft pick, as the University of Maryland’s own Torrey Smith will remain local as the newest wideout in Baltimore.

After predicting Smith would be available towards the end of the second round Friday morning, Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz was happy, as well.

“He’s probably one of the guys I’ve been asked about the most,” an ebullient Hortiz said in the press conference immediately following the pick. “He’s an explosive playmaker, and today we got bigger and faster, just like yesterday. I’m excited to have him.”

Smith, a native of Colonial Beach, Va., is a 6-foot-1, 204-pound speedster that immediately gives the Ravens a deep threat to take the top off a defense and fully utilize quarterback Joe Flacco’s strong arm. Smith also brings solid return ability, as he set a Maryland school record for all-purpose yards with 5,183 in only three seasons.

Torrey Smith Draft Profile

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As a receiver, Smith was prolific for the Terrapins, logging 67 catches for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. No one else on the team had more than three touchdown catches, while Smith also returned 30 kickoffs for 585 yards (19.5-yard average).

The buzz around Smith has been growing over the last few weeks, and he heard the rumblings.

“I have no idea,” Smith said at his March Pro Day when asked about joining the Ravens. “The only thing I hear is from people tweeting it, so I have to try to stay away from that stuff, because at the end of the day, nobody but the teams have control over that.”

Smith overcame tremendous adversity to make it to the NFL. Born to a 16-year-old mother, Smith was forced to help raise six younger siblings in a rough area.

Before his final season at Maryland, his mother, Monica Jenkins, spent six months in jail after a domestic dispute turned into a knife-wielding incident.

Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta said Smith’s gritty demeanor is one of the reasons he will fit well with this team.

“He’s a tough kid, he’s been through a lot,” DeCosta said. “He’s a tough player, and we like that.”

Smith is the Ravens’ second pick of the draft, following first-rounder Jimmy Smith, a 6-foot-2, 211-pound physical cornerback from Colorado. Baltimore is also slated to draft 90th overall.

