2021 NFL Draft Prospect: D’Ante Smith, OL, East Carolina University

D’Ante Smith earned all-county, all-area and all-region honors as a junior and senior at Grovetown High School. He was one of the best offensive lineman coming out of high school in Georgia, but was somehow looked over. He received some interest from Georgia and South Carolina but ultimately selected the Pirates and boy did that pay off.

In his first season with ECU, he suffered an injury and spent the rest the season rehabbing. He would return in 2017 though. He played in seven games starting four. His versatility was great for the Pirates O-Line room. He played games at left tackle and left guard.

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In 2018, Smith would continue to play at a high level. He started all 12 games at left tackle. He was also selected as a captain of the team. He was a pivotal player on the offensive lineman in 2018 for the Pirates. The offensive unit eclipsed 400 yards of total offense on 8 different times while they went over 500 yards three times.

The 6040, 289 pound left tackle is a versatile and talented blocker who will enter the season as the program’s starting left tackle. He has played in 32 games over his career now and was granted a medical redshirt from his freshman season where he was injured. So this year I expect him to step up big time in 2020.

NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:

D’Ante Smith is a mauling offensive lineman with versatility. I think he will be a left guard at the next level, but right now he has been a very solid left tackle for ECU. He’s participated in 32 career games with 26 starts, making him the most experienced lineman on the roster. I talked to a scout who would like to see him gain a few pounds, because on the website it says he weighs 289 pounds. He is a leader on the field and he has tons of experience. I think he will have a huge year in 2020. – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds owner