Green Wave defensive tackle make a run for the NFL

Tanzel+Smart%2C+Green+Wave+defensive+tackle%2C+does+leg+presses+in+the+gym.+With+the+NFL+draft+beginning+on+Thursday+and+going+into+the+weekend%2C+Smart+awaits+the+phone+call+that+will+determine+his+NFL+future.+

Tanzel Smart, Green Wave defensive tackle, does leg presses in the gym. With the NFL draft beginning on Thursday and going into the weekend, Smart awaits the phone call that will determine his NFL future.

Caroline Gonzalez

Hard work and a desire to play are the two things that have carried Tanzel Smart through the past four years.

Now, the defensive tackle from Tulane University uses those same qualities in his preparation for the NFL draft.

Kevin Peoples, defensive line coach for the Green Wave, said that along with his work ethic, Smart is explosive and quick off the line, making him a playmaker for any defense.

“The thing that Tanzel does that most people don’t do, is how hard he plays. I’ve had people that have been in the NFL for 40 years that talk about how he’s the hardest playing guy that they’ve seen in the 40 years of defensive line,” Peoples said.

The six-foot-one, 300lbs tackle is seen as undersized for his position. However, his passion for every snap along with his constant foot and hand speed are making many coaches overlook his size.

Smart said he’s spoken to nearly every team in the league, though he doesn’t have a preference on where he goes.

“I’m just trying to get to the league. I’ll go anywhere. Anywhere I go I’ll give them my all 100 percent every day,” Smart said.

With the NFL draft beginning on Thursday and going into the weekend, Smart awaits the phone call that will determine his NFL future.