{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{infobox NFL biography | name = Tanzel Smart | image = Tanzel Smart, 2018 preseason (cropped).jpg | caption = Smart with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 | current_team = Tennessee Titans | number = | position = Assistant defensive line coach | career_position =dt | career_number =92, 79 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|11|6}} | birth_place = Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs = 295 | high_school = Scotlandville Magnet {{avoid wrap|(Baton Rouge)}} | college = Tulane (2013–2016) | draftyear = 2017 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 189 | pastteams = * Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2019}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2020|2023}}) | pastcoaching = * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2025}})<br>Defensive quality control assistant * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2026}}–present)<br>Assistant defensive line coach | status = | highlights = * First-team All-AAC (2016) | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 31 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = Pass deflections | statvalue3 = 1 | statlabel4 = Forced fumbles | statvalue4 = | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = | pfr = SmarTa00 }}
'''Tanzel Eric Smart Jr.''' (born November 6, 1994) is an American professional football coach and former defensive tackle who is an assistant defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/tulane/2017/04/tulane_dt_tanzel_smart_chosen.html |title=Tulane's Tanzel Smart chosen by the L.A. Rams in the 6th round of the 2017 NFL Draft |last=Guillory |first=William |date=April 30, 2017 |website=nola.com |language=en-US |access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets.
==College career== Smart attended and played college football for Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
==Playing career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 5/8 | weight = 296 | dash = 5.22 | ten split = 1.83 | twenty split = 3.00 | shuttle = 4.57 | cone drill = 7.53 | vertical = 27.0 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 9 | bench = 25 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32 7/8 | hand span = 9 5/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Tanzel Smart Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tanzel-smart/3200534d-4179-1275-7efe-091fb227948c |access-date=March 15, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Tanzel Smart College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1006843&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===Los Angeles Rams=== Smart was selected in the sixth round with the 189th overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2017 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 NFL Draft Results: Los Angeles Rams Select Tulane DT Tanzel Smart With 189th Pick|url=http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/4/29/15487254/2017-nfl-draft-results-los-angeles-rams-tulane-dt-tanzel-smart|author=Webb, Josh|website=TurfShowTimes.com|date=April 29, 2017|access-date=May 13, 2017}}</ref>
On May 15, 2020, Smart was released by the Rams.<ref name="b646">{{cite web | last=Jackson | first=Stu | title=Rams re-sign Morgan Fox, release Tanzel Smart | website=TheRams.com | date=2020-05-15 | url=https://www.therams.com/news/re-sign-morgan-fox-release-tanzel-smart | access-date=2025-02-08}}</ref>
===Buffalo Bills=== On August 16, 2020, Smart signed with the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=August 16, 2020 |title=Bills sign DTs Justin Zimmer and Tanzel Smart |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-dts-justin-zimmer-and-tanzel-smart |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref> He was waived by Buffalo on September 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-these-moves-to-get-to-the-53-man-roster-limit |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>
===Cleveland Browns=== On September 11, 2020, Smart was signed to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns sign DTs Joey Ivie and Tanzel Smart to practice squad|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-dts-joey-ivie-and-tanzel-smart-to-practice-squad|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> He was released by the Browns on September 22.<ref>{{cite news |title=Browns sign K Matthew McCrane, DE Jalen Jelks to practice squad |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-k-matthew-mccrane-de-jalen-jelks-to-practice-squad |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com |date=September 22, 2020}}</ref>
===New York Jets=== On October 14, 2020, Smart was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Designate WR Denzel Mims, 2 Others to Return to Practice|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-designate-wr-denzel-mims-2-others-to-return-to-practice|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster on November 9 and December 19 for the team's weeks 9 and 15 games against the New England Patriots and Rams, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.<ref>{{cite news |author=Greenberg, Ethan |title=Jets Activate CB Bryce Hall, Place TE Trevon Wesco on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-cb-bryce-hall-place-te-trevon-wesco-on-injured-reserve |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109214424/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-cb-bryce-hall-place-te-trevon-wesco-on-injured-reserve |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |website=NewYorkJets.com |date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Greenberg, Ethan |title=Jets Activate K Sam Ficken from Injured Reserve |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-k-sam-ficken-from-injured-reserve |website=NewYorkJets.com |date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120085259/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-k-sam-ficken-from-injured-reserve |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Greenberg|first=Ethan|date=January 2, 2021|title=Jets Activate RG Greg Van Roten from Injured Reserve, Waive K Sam Ficken|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-rg-greg-van-roten-from-injured-reserve-waive-k-sam-ficken|access-date=January 4, 2021|website=New York Jets Official Website}}</ref>
On August 31, 2021, Smart was waived by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |last2=Greenberg |first2=Ethan |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Jets Remove 27 Players from Roster to Reach 53-Man Limit |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2021-season |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Sign 13 to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2021-season|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=September 3, 2021|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925095109/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2021-season|url-status=dead}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Sign 10 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-10-players-to-reserve-future-contracts|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=January 10, 2022}}</ref>
On August 30, 2022, Smart was waived by the Jets and signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Cuts: Jets Move 27 Players to Trim Roster to NFL's 53-Man Limit|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2022-season|last1=Lange|first1=Randy|last2=Greenberg|first2=Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Sign 13 Players to Practice Squad|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2022-season|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 31, 2022}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Sign DL Tanzel Smart to Reserve/Future Contract|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-dl-tanzel-smart-to-reserve-future-contract|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=January 10, 2023}}</ref>
On August 29, 2023, Smart was released by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Cuts: Jets Move 31 More to Get Their Roster to 53 Players|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2023-season|author1=Lange, Randy|author2=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Add 10 Players from Their Preseason Roster to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2023-season|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> On October 31, Smart was signed to the Jets' active roster.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alper |first1=Josh |title=Jets sign Tanzel Smart, Dennis Kelly to active roster; place three on injured reserve |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jets-sign-tanzel-smart-dennis-kelly-to-active-roster-place-three-on-injured-reserve |website=NBC Sports |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> He was waived on November 13, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2023-11-13 |title=Jets Waive DT Tanzel Smart, Claim OT Austin Deculus |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/jets-waive-dt-tanzel-smart-claim-ot-austin-deculus/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Ethan |title=Jets Sign DL Tanzel Smart to Practice Squad, Release DB Craig James |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-dl-tanzel-smart-to-practice-squad-release-db-craig-james |website=newyorkjets.com |access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref> Smart was signed to the active roster on November 18, but released two days later and re-signed back with the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Ethan |title=Jets Sign DL Tanzel Smart to Active Roster |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-dl-tanzel-smart-to-active-roster |website=newyorkjets.com |access-date=19 November 2023}}</ref> He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Jets on January 9, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Ethan |title=Jets Sign FB Nick Bawden, DL Tanzel Smart to Reserve/Future Contracts |url=https://newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-nick-bawden-tanzel-smart-reserve-future-contracts-01-09-2024 |website=newyorkjets.com |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>
Smart was released by the Jets on August 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Cuts {{!}} Jets Move 37 to Get Their Roster to 53 Players|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2024-season|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
==Coaching career== On February 14, 2025, Smart was announced as a defensive quality control assistant on Brian Schottenheimer's new Dallas Cowboys coaching staff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Livengood |first=Paul |url=https://www.kiiitv.com/article/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys-coaching-staff-2025/287-26d6c5d9-af78-4704-a4a7-affb02e2970a |title=Dallas Cowboys announce full coaching staff for the 2025 season |work=KIII-TV |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 15, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://tulanegreenwave.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1693 Tulane Green Wave bio] {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Rams2017DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Tanzel}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:American football defensive tackles Category:Players of American football from Baton Rouge, Louisiana Category:American football defensive ends Category:Tulane Green Wave football players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:Buffalo Bills players Category:Cleveland Browns players Category:New York Jets players Category:Dallas Cowboys coaches