The junior will be on the NFL Draft podium on Friday, April 26

Pictured, junior Derik Smith

Hope College two-sport athlete Derik Smith been chosen to announce a Denver Broncos’ Day 3 pick during the 2024 NFL Draft in downtown Detroit.

The third and final day of the NFL Draft will be held on Saturday, April 27 and start at noon.

NFL Draft television and streaming Information

Smith, a junior, competes with a prosthetic leg for the Flying Dutchmen in football as a defensive lineman and in track in the long jump, discus and javelin.

The health and physical education major from Niles, Michigan (Edwardsburg HS) is a guest of the NFL’s and American Cancer Society’s Crucial Catch program.

NFL release

Smith’s story has drawn nationwide attention, including as part of “Courage in Sports: Gridiron Greatness” TV special presented by the USAA insurance company on CBS last fall.

In 2023, Smith was named the recipient of the Hope Athletics Karen Page Courage Award.

As a child, Smith had part of his right leg amputated after a cancer diagnosis.

Last fall, Smith appeared in two games and made one tackle as a defensive lineman for the Flying Dutchmen football team, which finished the regular season with an 8-2 overall record.

 

Smith also represented Team USA at the 2022 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation World Games in Santo Antonio, Portugal. Smith won his division in the discus, long jump and 100-meter run.