High School: Three-year letterman at Scotlandville High for coach Richard Oliver...rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com while garnering two-star status by Scout.com...received an 82 rating and is listed as the No. 81 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 55 prospect in the state by 247Sports.com...helped lead the Hornets to a combined 13 wins, including a trip to the state playoffs as a sophomore...as a senior, named first-team all-state, all-metro and all-district while claiming Baton Rouge Metro and District 4-5A Defensive MVP honors after posting 54 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, five sacks and three blocked field goals...also selected to play in the 11th Annual U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl...named to all-district team as a junior.
Personal: Born Tanzel E. Smart, Jr., on Nov. 6, 1994, in Baton Rouge, La...son of Lewanna Ventress...undecided on major...chose Tulane over Memphis, North Texas and Texas-San Antonio.