Why he’s important: Play every game this season like he did against Texas State and Smoot will have a haul of postseason hardware to call his own. Then again, it’s likely not going to happen that the Ohio native will record two sacks each game like he did against the Bobcats last September. But that nonconference game showed a glimpse of the potential and talent the Illinois coaches have touted since Smoot first arrived on campus. He’s now added weight and gotten used to that additional weight to likely factor significantly into the defensive line this fall.
Best of Illini: No. 15, Dawuane Smoot
