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Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot relishes a return home, different defensive scheme
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- Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot relishes a return home, different defensive scheme
Another in a series about Jacksonville Jaguars veterans who are battling for their starting jobs or, in some cases, a roster spot during the 2025 training camp.
Defensive end Dawuane Smoot
Years with the Jaguars :Eight (nine overall in the NFL).
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Career highlights:Smoot was a third-round pick by the Jaguars from Illinois in 2017 and was an underrated performer on that team, with five quarterback hits, two more in the postseason. He missed the first eight games in 2018 because of an injury, but came back to average more than five sacks per season over the next four, more than any Jaguar besides Josh Hines-Allen . Smoot also made national news in 2021 when he had to deliver his daughter Ahlani Moon at his home when his wife Aumari went into labor and collapsed before they could get out the door to go to the hospital. He was the Jaguars' nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2023. ... Smoot signed a free-agent contract with the Bills and had a sack and four quarterback hits in 11 games, starting four. Smoot returned to the Jaguars on June 3, 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars Dawuane Smoot takes a picture with Jaguars fan Zoe Cross, 7, after practice during an NFL training camp fifth session at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Camp scenario:Smoot is listed as the backup to Josh Hines-Allen but he can move inside and play the defensive tackle position beside nose tackle DaVon Hamilton . Since the first two players on the depth chart at that position, Arik Armstead and Maason Smith have yet to take a snap in training camp, Smoot's versatility could come in handy.
Dawuane Smoot on returning to Jacksonville
"It's home for me. Just being back with my family, being back with my kids … everyone's happy. It's great.
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Dawuane Smoot on the defensive scheme
"It's similar to 2017 because we played with the big end, with a small end, a lot of different things. We're moving around a lot, we've got a lot of versatility. I've played in just about every defense to this point so I feel right here, for sure."
Dawuane Smoot on competition
"Each and every season you've got to make a team. It's a competition no matter where. It's competition every day. I'm excited to see what we can do. I feel like I'm in a good spot. Preparation-wise I know the playbook inside and out, like the back of my hand. I'm excited to see what I can do in this new system. Now in my ninth year, I've got a lot of vet tricks I can work now. I'm just trying to out it on display."
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Dawuane Smoot on reuniting with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen
"Tra [Walker], he's just a consistent worker. He's worked on multiple different moves. He's not just a power rusher. He's able to get off the edge. He's able to do a lot of different things that he wasn't able to do the first year I was with him. It's huge to see his development and he's helping out the whole team. Josh is a dog, so me and him, we understand each other. We know how to rush off each other."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars on the Spot: Dawuane Smoot back with team after year with Bills
