April 15, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Former Penn State offensive lineman Donovan Smith has been invited to attend the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago starting on April 30. He is the first Nittany Lion to attend the NFL Draft since Devon Still in 2012.
The NFL Draft will be held at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago and will run from April 30-May 2. This is the first time since 1964 that the NFL Draft has been held outside of New York City. Round 1 will take place April 30 with rounds 2-3 slated for May 1 and rounds 4-7 scheduled for May 2. The NFL Draft will air live on the NFL Network and ESPN.
Smith started 31 of his 37 career games played, which was tied for second-highest on the 2014 squad. He participated in the Senior Bowl alongside teammates Adrian Amos and Deion Barnes. Smith blocked for the two of the top three quarterbacks in career yardage in program history in Matt McGloin (6,385) and Christian Hackenberg (5,932). He also helped pave the way for 19 100-yard rushing performances.
A pre-season candidate for the Outland Trophy, Smith concluded his career by helping the Nittany Lions rally from a 21-7 third quarter deficit to beat Boston College, 31-30 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. He helped Penn State gain 453 yards and 25 first downs in the overtime win over Eagles, also boosting Hackenberg to break or tie nine school bowl records.
A U.S. Army All-American at Owings Mills High School, the 6-5, 340-pound Smith graduated with his degree in criminology in December.
Season tickets for the 2015 campaign are on sale, with more than 2,200 new season tickets having been sold. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2015 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.