Andre Smith (offensive tackle)

Andre Dean Smith, Jr. (born January 25, 1987) is an American football offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Alabama, and was recognized as an All-American. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Early years
Smith was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Huffman High School in Birmingham, where he was a three-year starter, a two-time All-State selection, and Class 6A Lineman of the Year in 2005. After registering 88 pancake blocks his senior season, Smith was selected “Mr. Football” by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, becoming the only offensive lineman to ever win the honor in the association’s 23-year history. Smith earned High School All-American honors by USA Today and was selected to play in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was also one of four finalists for the 2005 Walter Payton Trophy, given to the nation’s most athletic high school football player.

Regarded as a five-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, Smith was listed as the No. 1 offensive lineman by both recruiting services. Rivals described him as "one of the most dominant offensive line prospects in the last 10 years," and—after reevaluating their 2005–'09 rankings in February 2009—considered him the best offensive tackle prospect of that period. Mike Farrell of The Sporting News called Smith "the best offensive line prospect since Orlando Pace."

College career
Smith attended the University of Alabama beginning in 2006, he played for coach Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 2007 to 2008. In his initial year at Alabama,he started all 13 games at left tackle, becoming only the fourth true freshman offensive lineman to start for the Crimson Tide. Smith played at least 65 snaps in 10 of 13 games and played more than 70 snaps five times, while leading the Crimson Tide with 62 pancake blocks. He also scored a touchdown off of a lateral in the 34–31 Independence Bowl loss against Oklahoma State. Smith earned Freshman All-American honors by the Football Writers Association of America.

In 2007, Smith was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, after starting every game at the left tackle position. He was named Alabama Co-Player of the Week four times during the season.

Smith was recognized as a unanimous All-American in 2008, as well as the 2008 Outland Trophy winner. He was also considered to be one of the best underclassmen for the 2009 NFL Draft. He was also a firs-team All-SEC selection and shared the league's Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs. He led the team with 103 key knockdowns and added seven blocks downfield. He was penalized twice, as he allowed just one QB sack and six pressures on 334 pass plays.

On December 29, 2008, Smith was suspended from playing in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, —a game Alabama lost to the Utah Utes 31–17—, reportedly because he dealt with an agent. A few days later, Smith declared himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, and at the time he was considered a lock to be a Top 5 pick.

College awards and honors

 * 2006 SEC All-Freshman First Team
 * 2007 AP All-SEC First Team
 * 2007 Playboy All-American
 * 2008 Outland Trophy
 * 2008 AP All-SEC First Team
 * 2008 AP All-American
 * 2008 AFCA All-American
 * 2008 CBS All-American


 * 2008 ESPN All-American
 * 2008 FWAA All-American
 * 2008 Pro Football Weekly All-American
 * 2008 Rivals.com All-American
 * 2008 Sporting News All-American
 * 2008 Sports Illustrated All-American
 * 2008 Walter Camp All-American

2009 NFL Draft
Widely believed to be the best run-blocking tackle in the draft, Smith drew comparisons to Jason Peters. At the 2009 NFL Combine, Smith weighed 332 pounds. He also looked out of shape as he ran 40 yards shirtless, clocking at a slow 5.28, and had a disappointing 19 repetitions on the bench with 225 pounds.

He decided to leave the combine early in order to prepare for Alabama's Pro Day on March 11, 2009. Smith, however, did not inform his group leader at the combine before he left, and later apologized, stating: "If I had the chance to do it all over, I wouldn't have handled it the way I did. I should have told my group leader that I was leaving, and I didn't. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers or step on any toes. I didn't mean to grandstand anyone at the combine. That was not my intention at all, and I apologize for my mistake." Smith also admitted that he wasn't prepared or in shape.

His Pro Day performance at Alabama on March 11, 2009 was equally unimpressive, although his weight was down to 325 pounds. It was expected that his poor performances at the Combine and at Pro Day would strongly impact his draft positioning. Initially thought of as the best offensive tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft and a possible No. 1 pick, Smith was moved to third among offensive tackles (commonly behind Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe) after the combine.

Smith was eventually drafted sixth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was the first Alabama offensive lineman selected in the first round of an NFL Draft since Chris Samuels in 2000.

Cincinnati Bengals
With run-blocking being his premier quality, Smith was projected to start at right tackle for the Bengals. However, after a 30-day contract impasse, Smith missed all of training camp and three preseason games, before eventually signing his contract on August 30, 2009. It is believed that Smith was looking for a five year, $40 million deal, but was signed to a four-year contract with only $21 million guaranteed. The Bengals also have an option in his contract after the 2010 season to make it a six-year, $42 million dollar agreement. Just days after ending his hold out, Smith fractured his left foot during a non contact drill at training camp. On December 13, 2009, Smith was credited with his first official start when usual starting right tackle Dennis Roland lined up as the extra tight end in the Bengals unbalanced line. For the season, Smith played in six games.

On November 13, 2010, the Bengals placed Smith on injured reserve with a broken foot, ending his season after playing in seven of the eight regular season games to that date.

In the 2011 NFL pre-season, it was reported that he was working out and getting fully fit. It was also reported that in the pre-season, he spoke with the Bengals starting left tackle, Andrew Whitworth, about how "it's my time to step up." The 2011 season became Smith's breakout year, and he became the starting right tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Personal
Smith is the son of Andre, Sr. and Nesa Smith. His younger brother, Christian Smith, currently plays wide receiver and cornerback at Hampton University. He is also a cousin of Dominic Lee, a former defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Desmond Jennings, outfielder of the Tampa Bay Rays.

On January 18, 2013, Smith was arrested after allegedly bringing a gun into the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.