Penn State tackle Donovan Smith announced on Wednesday afternoon that he will be attending the NFL Draft. The announcement sends a Nittany Lion to the draft in Chicago for the first time since Devon Still in 2012.
Projected by most analysts to go anywhere from the first to third round, Smith looks to be Penn State’s latest first round draft choice since Jared Odrick’s first round selection in 2010. Odrick was selected 28th overall by the Miami Dolphins.
Still was the most recent Penn State player to attend the NFL Draft, but was not drafted until the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals.
While at Penn State, Smith started 31 games at left tackle for the Nittany Lions, and opted to forgo his fifth year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft shortly following Penn State’s overtime bowl victory over Boston College.
Smith later noted that the NFL’s Draft Advisory board suggested that he return for his final season of eligibility but Smith decided to enter the draft anyway. His stock has steadily risen since that decision.
While Smith’s fate is unknown, according to the Baltimore Sun, he has visited the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills in the weeks leading up to the start of the draft on April 30.
Smith isn’t the only Nittany Lion with draft hopes though. CBS Sports is projecting linebacker Mike Hull will go to the San Diego Chargers in the third round, safety Adrian Amos will be chosen by the Bucs in the fourth round, and tight end Jesse James will end up with the Washington Redskins in the fifth round.
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