Dawuane Smoot hurdling toward stardom for Illinois defense

1:50 PM ET

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot met with Lovie Smith for the first time in March, Smith had this message for him: “I want to make you a first-rounder.”

Naturally, Smoot took an instant liking to his new head coach. The feeling was mutual. If there’s one potential superstar on Smith’s first Illini defense, it’s Smoot.

The senior had a breakout season in 2015, leading the team with eight sacks, 15 tackles and three forced fumbles. His numbers dwarfed those of teammate Jihad Ward, who has been projected as a possible second-round NFL draft pick this weekend. Smoot is setting his sights even higher in 2016.

“I want to try to be [an NFL] first-rounder and to be an All-American,” he said. “Double-digit sacks and then go to the league. Those are my expectations.”

Those are lofty goals, especially considering that only four players in Illinois history have ever reached 10 or more sacks in a season (the legendary Simeon Rice did it twice). Yet Smoot is used to clearing hurdles. Literally.

He was a standout track and field athlete in high school, starring in the shot put, discus and hurdles. Smoot struck an imposing figure in the starting blocks as a 6-foot-3, 225-pound high school junior. But hurdling …

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