JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed OLB Dawuane Smoot, the team announced today. Additionally, the team released DL Nick Thurman. 

Smoot was originally drafted by Jacksonville in the third round (68th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 87 games with 17 starts in six seasons, all with the Jaguars. Since his rookie year in 2017, Smoot has posted 83 total tackles, 60 quarterback hits 22.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. From 2019-22, Smoot is one of 14 NFL players to post at least 5.0 sacks every year.

In 2022, he recorded 21 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 14 games. In Week 16 of the 2022 season, Smoot tore his Achilles against the New York Jets.

The Groveport, Ohio native played collegiately at the University of Illinois where he played in 44 games starting his last 24 games. He finished his career tied for sixth in school history with 38.5 tackles for loss. In his final season in 2016, he was voted third team All-Big Ten after having 56 tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, 10 QB hurries and two forced fumbles on the season.