S3 Episode 4: One Step Ahead

In this fourth episode, we'll be riding along with Alex and DeVante Smith as the first round of the two thousand, twenty one NFL Draft commences, and at the moment Alex is in his car running some final errands before his draft party tonight at a beach house in Pensacola, Florida. His agent, Demarus Bilbo calls to touch base and offer his last minute thoughts. Yo, what's up, dB, how's it mort to be? It's been good, It's been good. I'm decided.

One thing I want to tell you said, for everything you've accomplished in your career, Draft Knight has a funny way of making people feel like somebody else is better than them, or they're not good enough, or because you know they haven't done enough. You know, it's just it's not how it is. So with that being said, obviously this is a weird draft. I mean, you can go anywhere between nineteen or that's a huge gap. But you know, seeing time evaluations, seeing that processes and they and the

draft board. So however, good phones. Just know that you know, as soon as the draft is over, it's back to aunt other word locky in showing the basis gast. You know, you gotta prove the guy that around you right and you gotta prove the one that you draft your own right right. Either way, you know you're gotta have an

opportunity to do the bit about your dream. And just know, like we always talk about, regardless of because one of your regards pause behind you, you have an opportunity to fool that you are the best, right all right, man, So you need anything for me, no questions. I'm good, dog, I mean, oh, we gotta do his way now. That's just be comforted in the one day your life is gonna change. That was weekend and you know it's it's not where you start fish, all right? Bet that sounds good.

I appreciate you, dB, all right about these past few months have been a never ending stream of questions about Alex's abilities and what position he'll play, and now he's facing a wide draft range projected somewhere between pick nineteen and pick forty. That's especially tough for a guy who's decorated as Alex, who won national championships, all conference honors, and even the Outland Trophy as the country's best interior a lineman. So to Marius worries the pre Deeft process

might finally be getting to his client. You know, they're not just handing out Hasman Trophy Awards and Outland Trophy Awards and everybody know Alabama that's kind of like the thirty third NFL team right there. So these guys are practicing differently. So I think he felt that he had done he had achieved everything and accomplished everything that he could possibly do and still to be critiqued at the level he was and so you know, I think a part of that kind of got to him. You know,

it's like, what more can I do? At this point? There truly is nothing more Alex can do. The draft is starting in less than an hour, so Alex heads back to the beach House to change and get ready. Meanwhile, in Cleveland, Davante Smith woke up early, worked out, took a nap, put on a suit, and as now arriving downtown for the first round of the draft. Oh they got to Oh I thought they had you might know, you know, I got miked up. Man, They got me

out here being a feed man. That's Davante. He's outside the Cleveland Brown Stadium walking towards the shuttle that will take him and his family to the green room. Security stops him and ask everyone for their passes. Yet, all right, hey, everybody else is hey? Everybody else's she's one. Yeah, they're waiting. She did have, so it looks like a lot of people who run away. Davante is talking to Garmet Mamalou, one of the members of his team at Clutch Sports.

They're waiting for a few more people from their group to arrive. These last few hours are specially hectic, with extra security and COVID protocol thousands of fans arriving downtown for the draft kickoff in the NFL scrambling to broadcast their first ever hybrid in person and virtual draft. Here's DeVante's agent, Calton Crenshaw, a lifelong Cleveland resident and native,

explaining this year's unique set up. It's probably like a quarter of a mile stretch of land, Like, you know, they had a bunch of stuff outside, and then there was a stage, and then there was like a large area that was like the super industrial tent. It was basically like a permanent structure, but it was a tent because they it doesn't exist. And um, that's the Graham Room, pods.

All of that was inside of this tent area. Usually, the green room is a massive open lounge area near the stage with tables and couches with the top twenty to thirty prospects wait for their name to be called. In two thousand twenty one, everything is different, so like the draft, these they were bunker down like deep in the middle of the layout of the draft in this like little enclosed living room. This year's draft set up,

it's carefully designed for COVID safety protocols. Almost everything is outdoors near the lakefront, in between the Brown Stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's spaced out more like a music festival than a draft. So it's fitting that rock stars Kings of Leon finished their pre draft concert on the main stage as Davante, his family, Garme and Kelton take their seats in the green room

and at the Pensacola Beach House in Florida. Alex Leatherwood settles into the couch with his family, watching as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium. Three three one NFL Draft is now officially owen, it's not like I'm gonna get pick number four. It's not like I'm gonna get pick number four, but it's probably gonna be

anywhere from nineteen to twenty seven. As they look on, Alex tries to set expectations with his friends and family in the room they watched the Jacksonville Jaguars and make the first pick in the draft, selecting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Alex knows it's unlikely he'll be taken before pick eighteen or nineteen, and that he could end up being selected as late as pick forty, so he watches calmly as the first five picks roll off the board. Pick number

six belongs to Miami and they need a receiver. Most people think this could be where Davante gets selected, especially since he played with the Miami quarterback in college. Davante watches and listens from the green room as the picks announced. Miami selects his teammate friend and fellow Alabama receiver Jalen Wantle DeVante steps out to hug Jalen. The show. Watching his teammate at the same position get picked ahead of him doesn't seem to bother Davante. He's as composed as ever.

It's Alex who was surprised because Jalen missed the whole season with a broken ankle. Analysts are also surprised to see the injured receiver get picked ahead of the Heisman Trophy winner. Here's Alex watching from the Pensacola living room. Smitty is still on the board that happened up last year with like Judy and Ruggs and Ruggs one before. That's crazy, ain't it. I mean, like, to be honest, I think that was the only one he had though that like broken ankle, but that but that was kind

of like a freak accident. Who it was crazy because like he walked off the pin. I'm looking at life, okay, Yeah, like we go we played the job like wand that's crazy. Teams are often undeterred by injuries like this as long as they believe in the player and their ability to fully recover within the coming season, and the Miami Dolphins clearly believe in Jalen Waddle. Next up at pick seven, the Detroit Lions take an offensive tackle the first one off the board, which is a good sign for Alex.

He's generally ranked as the third highest offensive lineman prospect, so the earlier the other two players get picked, the earlier he will likely be selected. This puts Carolina on the clock at pick number eight. The Panthers are also rumored to be interested in DeVante, has evidenced by their head coach texting Celton last night during the Clutch dinner. So Calton and Davante both believe Carolina is going to pick him. Here, We'll be right back. With the eighth pick.

In the two thousand twenty one NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select a cornerback instead of a receiver. Then it picked nine. Denver also selects a cornerback. That puts the Dallas Cowboys on the clock with pick ten, a team without any need for a receiver. Here's Calvin and Davante shocking fall out of the top ten. That process was kind of stressful because you really never know, honestly in most in most cases, so it was definitely nerve wracking.

That's a dupe. Thing about the NFL draft is super unpredictable. So when he went to Carolina, I'm like, all right, you know, we might go on a little slide here because I knew Philly was trying to move up. I knew Denver wasn't gonna take him, and I knew Philly was trying to move up. But I'm thinking at the board, I'm like, well, Ship, they're not gonna trade. The Cowboys are going to trade with a division arrival to let them get the player they want, you know what I'm saying.

So I was just like, well, I guess we're going to New York. At this point, I was just kind of like, we're going to New York. It is what it is. New York holds the very next pick at number eleven. The Giants need a receiver and have expressed interest in DeVante throughout the pre draft process. So Calton and DeVante and everyone else following the draft all assume DeVante will be playing for the New York Giants. But then DeVante's phone rings, I love yes, sir, A good

playing your shaved? Thank you bad. I feel good. I'm ready to go to work. A surprise trade unfolds and it's the Philadelphia Eagles calling, And then DeVante's typical calm and composed way, he just quietly found out and shared that the Eagles are going to draft him lad place. So yeah, Brom, so proud of you. Ye grass bro, he says, God brother, let we say we'll get it, brother. What The Eagles make a trade with their division rivals, the Cowboys to jump up two spots to pick number ten.

This puts them ahead of their other division rivals, the New York Giants, and allows them to select the player that Giants wanted, Davante Smith. This type of intra division first round trade almost never happens because now the Cowboys will have to play against Davante at least twice a year. However, in this instance, the Giants planned to select DeVante with the next pick anyway, so the Cowboys would have to

face Davante twice the season regardless. That makes the trade a win win for Billy and Alice and a stunning blow to New York. The move also shocks teams and fans around the league. Only Davante seems stoic about it as he walks out to the stage to meet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who hugs him and hands him his brand new Philadelphia Eagles jersey. I'm gonna turn out by graduation. Thank you. See how you like this that look? Okay? Oh yeah, for sure, there you go. Glad you're here, man,

Thanks for coming. Thanks bad you need anything, you let me know, be right down the road. Now you're gonna have to get these Eagles fans. Man. We'll just hold that right here. I will take Okay, come on, guys, thank you, thank you, thank you. You got a great player, got a great kid. For important. Thank you need something, let me know. Okay, they're gonna take care of you. Takes to stand right here. It takes an We're gonna go backstage now, do a couple of interviews, and take

some quick with your family. Davante heads backstage again, this time to do interviews for his new team and the local Aladelphia press. Meanwhile, in Florida, Alas continues watching the broadcast. He's trying to figure out what team might draft him based on how the top ten played out. Bro when the process first broke. When the process first started, they was working with me heavy, the Colts coaching me heavy. But like, really, bro, it really all depended on this

top ten. I'll know what's gonna happen, like you got like you gotta see what's gonna happen with the Chargers, then Minnnnapolis, the air Raiders in Miami, because like Miami like me a lot. They said that they're gonna take me last year number eighteen them who else coach they like me, Feelers they like me a lot, Jaguars they like me a lot. And I feel like, worst case scenario, I'm going to Baltimore because they got two restaurant picks.

So I'm gonna go to Baltimore. But but ain't trying, but trying to go ahead late there's not enough money. But like like it all depends on what happened with like everybody else has been on the first contract. The difference between getting picked in the teens or falling to the end of the first round will be about five million dollars. That's why Alex was worrying about the money. So when the Chargers picked Northwestern tackle were Shawn Slater

at thirteen, it's another good omen for Alex. The two highest ranked tackles are now off the board and he could be picked in almost any spot. Moving forward, We'll be right back. Alice continues watching the draft broadcast as the New York Jets trade up to pick fourteen. They select a guard from USC and now New England is on the clock, with Arizona in Las Vegas following with the next two picks. Hello, all right, yes, sir, yo, what's up? Coach? I appreciate the coach, Yes, sir, that

sounds good. I appreciate it. Oh god, y what the PV? What TV? Alex realizes they still have to announce the pick on TV and that the broadcast will show him live when that happens. So he and Coral Silverberg, a member of his team at Clutch, scrambled to clear everyone out of the camera's path. Well that way, everybody go that way, go go go. Oh yes, Alex, Yeah, all right, here's Alex about getting that phone call from the Raiders. There was a coach Gruten's number, because he had called

me like a couple of days before. They talk about something, and well, to be honest, what exactly what he said was kind of a blur because I was just laden talking. I'm just like yeah, yeah, yeah, you know, like agreeing with whatever he was saying, and I was just like, oh, Ship, I'm going to vegash. After the pick has been announced, Alex's older brother runs over to celebrate with Alex and their mom. Yes, I told you, Bro, I told you, Bert, I told you that. I mama moment I got told

I told you, I told you. I don't need to cry and take it off. Take it off. Even though Alex can often be quiet and soft spoken, like his old teammate Davante, in this instance, the emotions are too overwhelming. It is like a dream come true. But I mean I knew it was gonna happen, just because like when I had set my mom to do it back when I was like fourteen, and I told himself, yeah, I'm gonna like take his mission head on and I would be successful and things like that. I knew it's gonna happen.

So it's really just like everything got planned and told myself that I was gonna do, like I already like lift through this in my head because I manifested it, worked at it and made sure that I wasn't gonna be denied. Here's jaretts Parks, Alex's teammate at Alabama, who watched his best friend's journey over the last four years.

I couldn't do anything but break down in tears because I've just watched it up close, piece by piece, and that plan came to life, and to hear his name get called on that screen, it was just one of the amazing moments to just be there and witness and just be a part of. Back in the living room, Alex Jaretz and Alex's friends and family continue celebrating. We're going to Vegas. Bogus far, We're going to Vegas. It's so no state tax. Hey, we lit, we lit. All

of Alex's pre draft dreams are coming true. He made it to the NFL, he became a first round draft pick, and he's playing for a franchise in Nevada. Well, there's no state income tax. The plan he's been executing for seven years straight is officially a succes us, And unlike DeVante, Alex wants everyone to know how he's feeling right now. Yeah, are we going to read? As Alex and his crew celebrate into the night, DeVante and his family drive back to the hotel in Cleveland to get ready for a

celebratory dinner. DeVante's longtime mentor Vincent Sanders describes the moment before they head out. He's still a team to fan taking pictures of I'm at and I'm coming downstairs and I get off the elevator and I meet him and he was like to come out with So he's gonna meet him. You on elevator and go up to his own so you change on the way after. He's like like, I was like wow, well, like what he's like, dude, I just went t pick. I was like he was

like tenths pick bro in NFL trap Like yeah. So we just sat there for a man room like like wow, we just what's saying that? It just was like like ship and then you could tell we foun that was it. It was down. Once they're quiet, moment of appreciation ends, Davante goes back to his room. He quickly gets ready for his celebration dinner. I kept my suit on, I grabbed my charger. We all went to a restaurant, just my family and things like that, the Klutch family of course,

all of us on. We kind of celebrated by stayed probably ten minutes, ten fifteen minutes, and I went back to the hotel, went sleep because it was just like this, this is not me. I don't like being out. I don't like like big gatherers and stuff like that. So I got me some eat and then I left and just like all right, it's time for me to go. But like my my mom mightee like they stayed. They enjoyed it well, like I live. Davante said that his

own celebration for only about ten minutes. Then the very next morning, he Vincent fly to Philly to meet his new coaches. Here's Vincent, So you wanted me to file them with it. So I filed and we get a we're gonna meet all the coaches and all that stuff. His first questions, I'm gonna get to our pad tonight to start starting to play. So they're like, you know, you ain't going out. I'm going like the room, so you know, you know people there looking like, yeah, right, whatever,

you're going. You're the Smith. You just can't You're going. You can't blame the Eagles staff for being incredulous. The team planned to take Davante to a Philadelphia seventy sixers game, where he'd ring ceremonial bell before tip off as a guest of honor. Then they planned to sit him courtside, right next to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and of course they assumed he'd go out on the town after that.

Here's devote again. I mean, get to feel it, meet two coaches and things like they do some media stuff with them, and then just at I mean, I went to a basketball game bringing the bill. I didn't even stay for the game. I just run the bill and I left from me. He went to the hotel and yeah, straight in the playbook, straight to that room. I'm talking about straight to room. We got a restaurant. We at

room service. When I came to his room was connected right next to buy Where I walked through the room, he was under the covers with a pencil in hand, the book in the op. He wasn't interested in courtside seats at an NBA game. He didn't care about being the guest of honor there or going to the hottest restaurants are Club in Philly. He just wanted to get back to football as soon as he possibly could. The same way you might love cake blue bell ice cream.

He loves learning plays and that that's what he does. His mom, Christina, sums it up. Yeah, he didn't stay the whole game. He left and went back and he wanted to get He wanted to get into the playbook. But but that's him, you know, always trying to be one step ahead. Davante has proven as much as anyone in recent college football history, no matter how old you are, how tall you are, or how much you weigh, if you're one step ahead, it means you're open. So NFL

defenders better get ready. The quiet, humble, one and seventy pound kid from a small town in Louisiana is coming for them, and they might already be a step or two behind him. Next I'm drafted. I started grooming him at an early age to play quarterback. Everything we did was football. In this off I realized that he had a chance to be somebody. That's how things are in Texas, right, it is really all about football. Well, I got death

threads starting to seek for multiple years. Freshman year for sure, stopmore year ding a year and like, I've been booed in my own stadium multiple times. Yeah, he was booed. That's tough as a parent, you know, when you're sitting at a game a little over a quarter into the Auburn game and he got benched, but during the game getting booed, and as a parent, you know, it's tough. He's always considering like, Okay, now, how am I gonna make this better? How am I gonna make this better?

He really is a lot of pressure. I said, Remember, Jim Ball can yell at you, but he'll never be as hard as your dad is. To me, it's one of the most remarkable things I've been a part of. Drafted is a production of tree Fort Media, Clutch Sports Group, and I Heart Radio. The executive producers are Kelly Garner, Lisa Ammerman, Eric Slott, Eric Weiner, and Sewn Titone. The series is produced and written by Eric Winer Garme Mamalu

is our coordinating producer. Coral Silverberg is our associate producer. Tom Monahan is our senior audio engineer. The show is mixed, edited and hosted by Me Stephen Johnson. Additional production helped from Tim Shower and Haley Mandelberg. For transcripts of the show and more information Undrafted, quote a tree Fort dot Fm, and for more podcasts from my Heart, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows,