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Former Illinois DL Dawuane Smoot drafted early in third round
Published:
Make that another Illinois defensive lineman in the NFL.
Former Illini DL Dawuane Smoot was drafted No. 68 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the 68th overall pick, the #Jaguars select Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot (@BigSmoot_91). pic.twitter.com/GAmQjYhucz
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 29, 2017
Smoot was a third-team All-B1G selection in 2017 in his first and only year in Lovie Smith’s defense. Smoot’s best season came in 2015 when he totaled eight sacks and three forced fumbles.
Smoot worked out at both defensive end and at linebacker. He projects as an edge-rusher in Jacksonville’s 3-4 system.
The Groveport, Ohio native followed in the footsteps of Jihad Ward, who was also picked on the second night of the draft last year. Smoot became the sixth Illini defensive lineman drafted since 2011.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.