Western Kentucky defensive end Quanterus Smith is a hard-luck case.

During his senior year, he tore his ACL, which caused him to miss the final two games of the season as well as the NFL Scouting Combine. At the time of the injury, he was leading the nation in sacks with 12.5.

How will the injury ultimately affect his performance? No one knows for sure.

However, here are several things that we do know about him.

Background

Full Name: Quanterus Smith

Birthday: November 26, 1989

Hometown: Decatur, Georgia

High School: Grayson High

College: Western Kentucky

Major: Recreation

Year: Redshirt Senior

Smith was named First-Team All-County twice during his football career at Grayson High. Western Kentucky redshirted Smith his first year in school.

(courtesy wkusports.com)

Statistics

2009: 12 games, 12 tackles (1 for loss), 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

2010: 12 games, 47 tackles (10.5 for loss), 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

2011: 12 games, 38 tackles (11 for loss), 7.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

2012: 10 games, 38 tackles (18.5 for loss) 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD (75-yard fumble return)

Smith's production steadily improved every season. Despite missing the last two games of his senior season because of an ACL tear, he still tied for ninth in the nation with 12.5 sacks.

Still, he tends to get his sacks in bunches. Last season, he went seven games without recording a sack.

However, he dampened any fears that he only feasts on weaker competition by having a three-sack game against Alabama.

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 250 lbs.

Arm Length: 33.25"

Hand Size: 10.375"

NFL Combine Results

Smith did not compete in any measurable events due to injury.

Western Kentucky Pro Day Results

Smith did not participate due to injury.

Unfortunately for Smith, his ACL injury and subsequent rehabilitation kept him out of the NFL combine and Western Kentucky's pro day.

Measurables courtesy of NFL.com.

Interesting Facts

Smith was ninth in the nation in 2012 with 12.5 sacks. He was named 2012 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, despite missing the last two games of the season.

While at Grayson High School, he lettered in basketball.

Information courtesy of wkusports.com.

Observations

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller compares Smith to Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before Smith tore his ACL, Mel Kiper considers him to be a draft prospect on the rise.

From Smith's draft profile at NFL.com: "It’s unlikely that Smith will be able to contribute much in 2013, but if he checks out medically he could end up one of the steals of the draft."

From Rob Lang at NFLdraftscouts.com: "The 6-4, 253-pound Smith lacks the bulk teams prefer at defensive end and is the first to admit that he needs to get better at setting the edge against the run."