Donovan Smith is one of the NFL Draft’s most recent risers after turning heads at the Senior Bowl and seeing his name surface in the first round of mock drafts. Now, Smith will have an opportunity that few draft hopefuls receive: He’ll attend the 2015 NFL Draft held in Chicago beginning on April 30.

I will be attending the @nfl draft in Chicago !! April 30th

— Donovan Smith (@DSmith_76) April 15, 2015

List of players attending #NFLDraft in Chicago now up to 28. Penn State OT Donovan Smith and Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi will also be there.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 15, 2015

Smith will be Penn State’s first NFL Draft attendee since 2012, when former standout defensive lineman Devon Still was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 53 overall pick. Smith has a chance to hear his name called in the draft’s first 32 selections, but likely quite late in the round. There are plenty of tackle-needy teams picking in the early to late 20s, including the Baltimore Ravens and the Bengals. Cincinnati could be a possible destination given that its current left tackle, Andrew Whitworh, is 33 years old. Smith could also step in at right tackle for the Ravens in place of former 2013 fifth-round pick Ricky Wagner, who played his college ball at Wisconsin. It’s also worth noting that he’d team up with former Penn State teammate John Urschel in Baltimore.

Though a first round selection would be an impressive milestone for the mammoth offensive tackle, a second-round selection seems more feasible, given questions surrounding Smith’s ability to quickly switch gears.

It’s every player’s dream to hear their name called on draft day, hug the commissioner, and slip on the jersey of their new professional home surrounded by family and friends. Lucky for Smith, he’ll live out this dream in Chicago.

Photo: Bobby Chen