Jacksonville Jaguars draft former Illini Dawuane Smoot
Tyler Courtney | The Daily Illin
Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot looks to record a sack against Middle Tennesse on September 30, 2015.
April 29, 2017
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have former Illini on both sides of the ball in 2017.
Jacksonville selected former Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Friday. Smoot was the 68th overall pick.
A native of Groveport, Ohio, Smoot finished the 2016 campaign with 15 TFLs, five sacks and two forced fumbles. Smoot was a team captain and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Smoot joins former Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn with the Jaguars. Benn took to Twitter to congratulate his fellow Illini.
Arrelious Benn on Twitter: “Congrats @BigSmoot_91 come ready to work! #Illini / Twitter”
Congrats @BigSmoot_91 come ready to work! #Illini
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Smoot is the sixth Illinois defensive lineman drafted since 2011. The Oakland Raiders selected Jihad Ward in the second round last year.
The Illini have had at least one player drafted in 42 of the last 45 drafts. Illinois has 241 all-time NFL Draft picks.
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