Penn State’s Smith goes to Tampa Bay
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found someone to help protect quarterback and top draft pick Jameis Winston and that someone is former Penn State left tackle Donovan Smith.
Smith was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2015 draft and his selection at 34th overall made him the highest Penn State player drafted since Jared Odrick was selected 28th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2010.
“He is very athletic and has great footwork for a guy his size,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “There are only so many guys out there that can be a true left tackles and protect the quarterback’s blindside and he is one of them.”
At 6-foot-6, 338 pounds, Smith has the size and strength to play either tackle spot or he could move inside and play guard. Smith was a threeyear starter at left tackle for the Nittany Lions and despite the NFL draft advisory committee recommending him to return to school for his final year of eligibility, Smith’s stock rose as the process carried on. Once a projected midround pick, the Owings Mills, Md., product smiled Friday night as he walked out of the green room and across the stage in Chicago to meet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Me and Jameis that’s all I gotta say. We’re going to the top,” Smith said in an interview with the NFL Network. “We’re all going to push each other and you know, we’re gonna win a Super Bowl.”
Smith, who completed his degree in criminology in three and a half years, thus easing his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the draft, participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.
He said Friday that he met with Tampa Bay before the draft and felt at home on his visit to its facility. When asked by the NFL Network if he is ready to protect Winston, Smith smiled and said he was ready to get to work and challenge the other Buccaneers players.
Smith was the 17th Penn State player drafted in the first three rounds since 2006 and is the 336th Nittany Lion drafted all time. Before Smith, the previous Penn State offensive tackle drafted was Levi Brown who was selected fifth overall in 2007.
“Donovan has the talent and tangibles to play in the National Football League for many years,” Penn State offensive line coach Herb Hand said. “His combination of size and athleticism are rare. Donovan has the athletic ability to play either tackle and also possesses the girth and power to play on the interior.”
NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said during the broadcast that Smith is the prototypical right tackle and the only questions that were raised about Smith were about his passion for the game.
“He moves people,” Mayock said. “This guy’s a starting right tackle and he can play.”
The draft continues today with rounds four through seven starting at noon.