Aldon Smith

Aldon Jacarus Smith (born September 25, 1989) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith also played for the Oakland Raiders.

Aldon Smith
Smith with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012
No. 58 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1989-09-25) September 25, 1989
Greenwood, Mississippi
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school:Raytown (Raytown, Missouri)
College:Missouri
NFL Draft:2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Tackles:228
Quarterback sacks:52.5
Interceptions:1
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:4
Pass deflections:10
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Smith was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. He attended Raytown High School in Raytown, Missouri, where he played for the Raytown Bluejays high school football team. As a senior, he recorded 60 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, while adding seven forced fumbles, one blocked punt, and a safety on defense, while on offense, he caught 34 passes for 570 yards and four touchdowns as a tight end.

Considered only a three-star recruit by the Rivals.com recruiting network, Smith was considered the No. 5 overall prospect (any position) in the state of Missouri as well as the No. 27 strongside defensive end in the nation.[1] Smith chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Kansas, and Kansas State, among many others.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Aldon Smith
DE		 Raytown, Missouri Raytown 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.68 Jul 8, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 24   Rivals: 27 (SDE)  247Sports: 34 (SDE)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

    College career

    Smith played for the Missouri Tigers football team under head coach Gary Pinkel while attending the University of Missouri from 2008 to 2010. After being redshirted as a freshman in 2008, he started 11 of 13 games at defensive end in 2009. He finished the season with 60 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a first team freshman All-American.[2] As a sophomore in 2010, he played in nine games, recording 48 tackles and six sacks.

    After the season, Smith announced that he would forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the 2011 NFL Draft.[3]

    College awards and honors
    • 2009 First-team Freshman All-American (College Football News, Phil Steele)
    • 2009 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year (Associated Press)
    • 2009 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (Coaches)
    • 2009 Hendricks Award Watch List
    • 2009 Second-team All-Big 12 (Associated Press)
    • 2009 Honorable mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)
    • 2009 Team Defensive Lineman of the Year Award
    • 2009 Team Freshman of the Year Award

    Professional career

    2011 NFL Draft

    Playing as a defensive end at Missouri, Smith was considered a "DE/OLB prospect" by most NFL scouts and was considered a strong edge run defender as 4–3 end or 3–4 linebacker.[4] Many scouts had compared him to DeMarcus Ware. Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, he was projected to be selected in the mid-late first round by mock draft analysis. On the day of the Draft, the San Francisco 49ers decided to draft Smith in the first round with the seventh overall pick.[5]

    Pre-draft measurables
    HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
    6 ft 4 1⁄4 in
    (1.94 m)    		 263 lb
    (119 kg)    		 35 3⁄8 in
    (0.90 m)    		 9 3⁄4 in
    (0.25 m)    		4.82 s1.68 s2.79 s4.50 s7.19 s34 in
    (0.86 m)    		9 ft 10 in
    (3.00 m)    		20 reps
    All values from NFL Combine[6]

    2011 season

    Smith did not start, but did make his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 4, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded his first sack on Michael Vick. In the next two weeks, Smith would win the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week in victories against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. After a strong October, Smith became the first 49ers player since linebacker Patrick Willis in 2007 to earn the NFL Rookie of the Month, he recorded 13 tackles and 6.5 sacks, including one that forced a safety as he helped the 49ers to a 6–1 record. In Week 15, Smith recorded 2.5 sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[7] He also surpassed Charles Haley for the 49ers record for most sacks by a rookie in a single season with 13.0 sacks.[8] He finished with 37 total tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 14 sacks. Smith was half a sack shy of tying the all-time rookie sack record held by defensive end Jevon Kearse despite not starting a single game in his rookie season. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America,[9] and finished second to Von Miller for the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.[10]

    2012 season

    After being used only as a situational pass rusher throughout his rookie year, Smith became a full-time starter in the 2012 season. In the season premiere against the Green Bay Packers, Smith sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a 30–22 victory. In the next game at home against the Detroit Lions, Smith recorded 1.5 sacks as the 49ers won by a score of 27–19. During Week 4, Smith had 2 sacks as the 49ers shut out the New York Jets 34–0. In Week 11, he recorded 5.5 sacks in a 32–7 blowout win against the Chicago Bears.[11] The next week, in a game against the New Orleans Saints, he surpassed Reggie White as the fastest player in league history to record his 30th career sack, doing so in 27 games.[12] The next week, against the St. Louis Rams, Smith broke another of White's records by recording 31.5 sacks in his first two seasons. In that same game, he tied Fred Dean's franchise record of 17.5 sacks in one season.[13] On December 16, 2012, Smith recorded his first interception off of Tom Brady in a 41–34 road victory against the New England Patriots.

    Smith takes on block by tight end Ed Dickson in Super Bowl XLVII

    In the 2012 season, Smith recorded 19.5 sacks, 66 tackles, three forced fumbles, a pass deflection, and an interception. The 49ers went on to appear in Super Bowl XLVII. In the game, he had two combined tackles as the 49ers narrowly lost to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31.[14]

    On the NFL Network's NFL Top 100 Players of 2013 ranking, the players voted him the seventh best player in the league entering the 2013 season, which made him the second highest ever debut and second highest defensive player on the list, both behind J. J. Watt.[15] He was also voted the San Francisco 49ers MVP in 2012.[16]

    2013 season
    Smith in 2013

    Smith got off to a fast start during the 2013 season getting 4.5 sacks in the first three games. However, on September 20, Smith was involved in a single vehicle accident in San Jose, California. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. After the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the third week of the football season, he voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility, to be put onto the non-football injury list with an indefinite leave of absence.[17]

    Smith missed five games while in rehabilitation. He returned to the team in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, but in a backup role, and did not start a game until Week 13 against the St. Louis Rams. He ended the season strong, finishing with 34 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Despite his limited playing time, Smith was ranked #33 in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.[18]

    2014 season

    Smith served a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He was reinstated in Week 11.[19]

    On August 7, 2015, following an arrest for his third DUI, Smith was released by the 49ers.[20]

    2015 season

    On September 11, 2015, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.[21] He collected two tackles in his first game with the Raiders in the season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He got his first start with the Raiders on September 27, against the Cleveland Browns and finished with 2 solo tackles. The following week, he earned his first sack against the Chicago Bears and finished the game with a season-high six tackles. He played his last game of the season on November 15 against the Minnesota Vikings and finished the 14–30 loss with three tackles and a sack. Two days later, the NFL issued Smith a 1-year suspension due to his hit-and-run on August 6, 2015. (See Legal issues)[22] Smith finished his first season with the Raiders with a total of 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 7 starts and 9 games.[23]

    2016 and 2017 seasons

    On April 4, 2016, Smith re-signed with the Raiders. On October 27, 2016, Smith applied for reinstatement.[24] However, no reinstatement occurred, resulting in Smith sitting out the entire 2016 and 2017 NFL seasons.

    Following an alleged domestic violence incident, the Raiders released Smith on March 5, 2018.[25][26]

    Dallas Cowboys

    On March 14, 2020, it was reported Smith was "in the process" of applying for reinstatement. Smith signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys on April 2, 2020, while awaiting reinstatement.[27] On May 26, 2020, Smith was conditionally reinstated by the NFL and was cleared to take place in the Cowboys' virtual off-season program.[28][29]

    In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, Smith recorded a team high 11 tackles and his first sack of the season on Jared Goff during the 20–17 loss.[30] In Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, Smith sacked Russell Wilson three times during the 38–31 loss.[31] In Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith recovered a fumble lost by running back Trayveon Williams and returned it for a 78-yard touchdown during the 30–7 win. This was Smith's first career touchdown.[32]

    NFL statistics
    NFL GamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
    SeasonTeamGPGSTotalSoloAstSacksPDIntYdsLngTDFFFR
    2011SF1603731614.04––––21
    2012SF161666501619.5116603–
    2013SF118342958.50––––11
    2014SF76151052.00––--–0–
    2015OAK97282173.53––--–0–
    2016OAK Suspended
    2017OAK
    2018–
    2019–
    2020DAL1010221285.01––––0–
    Career62401981514748.59166051
    PostseasonTeamGPGSTotalSoloAstSacksPDIntYdsLngTDFFFR
    2011SF204402.0–––––––
    2012SF335410.0–––––11
    2013SF3311563.5–––––11
    Career86201375.50000022

    NFL records
    • Fastest player in league history to record his 30th career sack (27 games)
    • Most sacks in a player's first two seasons (33.5)

    49ers franchise records
    • Most sacks by a rookie in a single season (14.0)
    • Most sacks in a single season (19.5)

    On January 28, 2012, Smith was arrested for driving under the influence in Miami Beach, Florida.[33][34]

    On June 30, 2012, Smith was believed to have suffered stab wounds when attempting to break up a fight at a party at his Santa Clara county residence. Two other people were shot in the incident.[35] On October 9, 2013, Smith was charged with "three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon" relating to the stabbing incident. The charges were later reduced to misdemeanors.[36]

    On September 20, 2013, Smith was involved in a single-vehicle accident in San Jose, California. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. After the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the third week of the football season, he voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility, to be put onto the non-football injury list with an indefinite leave of absence.[37]

    On April 13, 2014, Smith was detained and arrested following an incident at the Los Angeles International Airport in which Smith became belligerent and uncooperative with a TSA agent, who alleged Smith claimed he was carrying a bomb.[38] After interviews revealed that Smith did not clearly state he was carrying a bomb, the Los Angeles City Attorney decided to drop the charges. Smith was suspended for nine games for the 2014 season.

    On August 6, 2015, Smith was arrested in Santa Clara, California, for an alleged hit and run after driving under the influence, and vandalism charges.[39] He was released by the 49ers the next day as a result.[20]

    On March 9, 2017, Smith was a passenger with a friend driving to Smith's house at 12:00 AM, when the San Francisco police department found out both Smith and the driver were under the influence. Even though Smith was not the driver, both Smith and his friend were detained by the San Francisco Police Department for questioning. The next day, Smith and his friend were released. No arrests were made.[40][41]

    On September 23, 2017, it was announced that Smith had agreed to plead no contest to hit and run in the 2015 incident in exchange for the DUI charges being dropped. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail. During his sentence, he was ordered to attend a treatment facility, and undergo anger management classes. After his release, he was prohibited from entering any bars or other establishments where alcohol is the primary commodity being sold.[42]

    On March 3, 2018, someone called the police from Smith's home and reported that he had consumed multiple bottles of tequila and then bit her wrists. Smith reportedly fled the home before police arrived. San Francisco police did not comment on the specifics but did state that domestic violence of a "non-lethal" nature had occurred and they were seeking out Smith for questioning about the incident.[25] On March 23, 2018, Smith was arrested for violation of a court order, where he was ordered to stay away from a woman he assaulted earlier in the month. The woman was revealed to be Smith's fiancee. This picked up from a previous incident that occurred on March 3, where Smith pleaded not guilty on four misdemeanor counts, including domestic violence, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment, and vandalism.[43] On April 8, 2018, Smith was arrested for violations in conditions to his bail.[44]

    References
    1. Rivals Page
    2. 2009 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced
    3. Missouri DE Aldon Smith enters NFL Draft
    4. Aldon Smith Scouting Report « PRO Prospects
    5. "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
    6. "Aldon Smith – 2011 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile", NFLDraftScout.com
    7. ESPN – Aldon Smith has shot at rookie sack record
    8. "Smith earns 49ers' rookie sack record". Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
    9. 49ers Aldon Smith Named 2011 PFW/PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year – SB Nation Bay Area
    10. 49ers' Aldon Smith top defensive rookie? – NFC West Blog – ESPN
    11. Sando, Mike. "Around the NFC West: Aldon Smith's night". ESPN.
    12. Smith, Michael David (November 26, 2012). "Aldon Smith passes Reggie White as fastest NFL player to 30 sacks". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
    13. Inman, Cam (December 2, 2012). "San Francisco 49ers notebook: Aldon Smith ties Fred Dean's sacks record". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
    14. "Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
    15. Top 100 players of 2013 – Aldon Smith
    16. Corkran, Steve (January 28, 2013). "Super Bowl 2013: Aldon Smith is San Francisco 49ers MVP". The Mercury News. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
    17. Aldon Smith will take indefinite leave of absence
    18. "Top 100 Players of 2014: Aldon Smith". NFL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
    19. Florio, Mike (November 11, 2014). "Aldon Smith returns to the 49erss". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
    20. "49ers release Aldon Smith following arrest on DUI, hit and run charges". ESPN. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
    21. "Aldon Smith signs with the Raiders" Fox Sports, September 11, 2015
    22. Orr, Conor (November 17, 2015). "Raiders' Aldon Smith facing one-year suspension". NFL.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
    23. "NFL Player Profile: Aldon Smith". NFL.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
    24. La Canfora, Jason (October 27, 2016). "Aldon Smith formally files for reinstatement to the Raiders' active roster". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
    25. "NFL's Aldon Smith posts cryptic photo while being sought by police". FoxNews.com. March 5, 2018.
    26. "Raiders Release Aldon Smith". Raiders.com. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
    27. Archer, Todd (April 1, 2020). "Cowboys sign DE Aldon Smith to 1-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
    28. Shook, Nick (May 20, 2020). "Aldon Smith reinstated by NFL, set to join Cowboys". www.nfl.com. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
    29. Schefter, Adam (May 20, 2020). "Cowboys' pass rusher Aldon Smith was conditionally reinstated by the NFL today, per source. He now is cleared to take part in Cowboys' virtual off-season program". @AdamSchefter. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
    30. "Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams – September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
    31. "Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
    32. "Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals – December 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
    33. "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. January 28, 2012.
    34. Branch, Eric (January 29, 2012). "49ers' star rookie Aldon Smith accused of DUI". The San Francisco Chronicle.
    35. "Aldon Smith reportedly stabbed at party; 49ers: Injuries 'minor'". NFL.com. July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
    36. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000259850/article/aldon-smith-charged-with-assault-weapon-possession
    37. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000248867/article/aldon-smith-will-take-indefinite-leave-of-absence Aldon Smith will take indefinite leave of absence
    38. Reyes, Lorenzo (April 14, 2014). "Aldon Smith arrested on false bomb report charge". USAToday.com. USA Today. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
    39. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13393290/aldon-smith-san-francisco-49ers-arrested-hit-run-dui
    40. "NFL's Aldon Smith Detained By Police ... Drunk Passenger In Cop Car Crash". TMZ. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
    41. "Aldon Smith Denies Wrongdoing ... 'I'm Not a Badass Criminal, I'm a Good Person' (VIDEO)". TMZ. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
    42. "NFL's Aldon Smith Strikes Plea Deal In DUI Hit and Run Case". TMZ. September 14, 2017.
    43. "Aldon Smith arrested for violating court order". ESPN. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
    44. "Aldon Smith arrested again". ESPN. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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