D’Ante Smith Bio
D’Ante Bryce Smith (born June 8, 1998) is an American professional football offensive tackle who plays in the National Football League. He attended East Carolina University, where he developed into a reliable pass protector before being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft. Known for his size, length, and work along the left side of the offensive line, Smith has continued to grow within the Bengals organization through his first professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
D’Ante Bryce Smith was born on June 8, 1998, in Augusta, Georgia. He grew up in the Augusta area and attended Grovetown High School, where he joined the football and wrestling programs. His combination of size and athleticism allowed him to develop quickly on the offensive line during his high school years.
As a junior at Grovetown, Smith was recognized as a second-team All-Area and All-Region selection, establishing himself as one of the area’s top offensive line prospects. During his senior season, he initially committed to Appalachian State before ultimately decommitting and choosing to sign with East Carolina University. That decision shaped the next phase of his football career.
Path to American Football
Smith’s progression toward professional football followed a traditional path through the high school ranks into a college program. After being named second-team All-Area and All-Region as a junior, his recruitment gained momentum, and his late decision to switch his commitment from Appalachian State to East Carolina provided him with a clear stage to develop as an offensive tackle.
At East Carolina, Smith joined the East Carolina Pirates football program and steadily earned a starting role on the offensive line. Despite injury setbacks during his college career, he accumulated significant starting experience and became a dependable presence at the tackle position. His development at East Carolina positioned him as an NFL Draft prospect following his senior season.
D’Ante Smith Career
College Career (2017–2020)
Smith’s college career at East Carolina began with a setback, as he sustained a season-ending injury in the opening game of his freshman season and used a medical redshirt to preserve eligibility. He recovered from the injury and worked his way into the starting lineup, showing steady progress along the offensive line over the following seasons.
Entering his redshirt senior year, Smith had started 33 games for the East Carolina Pirates, demonstrating durability and consistency at the tackle position. During the season opener of his redshirt senior campaign, he suffered another injury that ultimately led him to opt out of the remainder of the season in order to train for the 2021 NFL Draft. His combination of starting experience and physical tools helped him project as a mid-round professional prospect.
Early NFL Career with the Cincinnati Bengals (2021–2022)
Smith was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round with the 139th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on May 17, 2021, officially beginning his professional career. His rookie season, however, was interrupted by injury, and he was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2021.
Smith returned from injured reserve and was activated on December 18, 2021, in time for a Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos. In 2022, he served as the backup left tackle to Jonah Williams throughout the season and carved out a defined role as the team’s swing tackle, particularly on running plays that required a sixth offensive lineman on the field. That role allowed him to contribute in specialized situations while continuing his development behind a veteran starter.
Continued Role and Injury Setback (2023–2024)
During the 2023 season, Smith remained with the Cincinnati Bengals as the backup left tackle, this time working behind Orlando Brown Jr., whom the Bengals had signed in free agency. The pairing gave Smith continued exposure to high-level coaching and allowed him to maintain his role as a reliable reserve along the offensive line.
Smith’s 2024 season was interrupted before it began, as he tore a patellar tendon during training camp and missed the entire year while recovering from the injury. The setback tested his resolve but kept him within the Bengals organization as he worked toward a return to the field.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith plays the offensive tackle position with a frame that measures 6 feet 5 inches tall and 140 kilograms, giving him the size and length to handle edge defenders. His experience as both a starter and a swing tackle has developed his versatility, allowing him to contribute in both traditional offensive line sets and six-lineman packages on running downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most significant professional milestones include being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and signing his rookie contract later that spring. He earned his first game action after returning from injured reserve in December 2021, and he has since contributed as a backup and swing tackle at the left tackle position across multiple seasons.
D’Ante Smith Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, D’Ante Smith’s contributions are measured less in individual victories and more in his role supporting team success along the offensive line. His professional career to date has been spent with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has served primarily as a backup and swing tackle at left tackle.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Smith joined the Cincinnati Bengals as a fourth-round pick in 2021 and has remained with the organization through multiple seasons. He earned his first game appearance in Week 16 of the 2021 season against the Denver Broncos after being activated from injured reserve. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he served as the backup left tackle behind Jonah Williams and then Orlando Brown Jr., contributing as a swing tackle on running plays.
Other Performances
Smith’s college career at East Carolina included 33 starts entering his redshirt senior year, reflecting sustained performance at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. His ability to return from a season-ending freshman injury and again compete after a senior-year setback highlighted his resilience as a developmental prospect.
D’Ante Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about D’Ante Smith’s immediate family is limited, with no widely confirmed details about his parents or siblings available. He grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and attended Grovetown High School, where his early athletic development took place within the local community.
Personal Life
Smith has kept much of his personal life private, and no public information regarding a spouse or children is confirmed. His professional focus since being drafted in 2021 has remained centered on his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, D’Ante Smith is positioned to return to action with the Cincinnati Bengals after missing the 2024 campaign due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in training camp. His recovery and rehabilitation throughout the 2024 offseason and into 2025 will determine his availability for the start of the new season.
With Orlando Brown Jr. established at left tackle, Smith is expected to again compete for a role as the primary backup and swing tackle along the offensive line. His familiarity with the Bengals’ offensive system and his prior experience as a sixth offensive lineman on running downs give him a defined path to contributing on game days.
If healthy, Smith’s 2025 outlook includes competing for a roster spot, contributing in specialized offensive packages, and providing experienced depth at the tackle position. His continued development will be an important storyline for the Bengals’ offensive line as the team builds its protection in front of the quarterback.